The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Emotional Health: Potential Mechanisms and Prefrontal Cortex Hypothesis

Abstract

Deep involvement in the negative mood over long periods of time likely results in emotional disturbances/disorders and poor mental health. Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is regarded as a typical mind-body practice combining aerobic exercise and meditation to prevent and treat negative mood. Although there are an increasing number of TCC studies examining anxiety, depression, and mental stress, the mechanisms underlying these negative emotions are not fully understood. This review study examined TCC studies related to emotional health from both clinical patients and healthy individuals. Next, several potential mechanisms from physiological, psychological, and neurological perspectives were evaluated based on direct and indirect research evidence. We reviewed recent functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, which demonstrated changes in brain anatomy and function, mainly in the prefrontal cortex, following TCC practice. Finally, the effects of TCC on emotion/mental health is depicted with a prefrontal cortex hypothesis that proposed “an immune system of the mind” indicating the role of the prefrontal cortex as a flexible hub in regulating an individual’s mental health. The prefrontal cortex is likely a key biomarker among the multiple complex neural correlates to help an individual manage negative emotions/mental health. Future research is needed to examine TCC effects on mental health by examining the relationship between the executive control system (mainly prefrontal cortex) and limbic network (including amygdala, insula, and hippocampal gyrus).

Effectiveness of a nurse-led Mindfulness-based Tai Chi Chuan (MTCC) program on Posttraumatic Growth and perceived stress and anxiety of breast cancer survivors

“…Previous studies showed that TCC had obvious advantages in comparison with traditional rehabilitation methods (Luo et al, 2020 ; Galantino, Callens, Cardena, Piela, & Mao, 2013 ;. Yao, Ge, & Yu et al, 2021 ). First, TCC can utilize a flexible choice of exercise site and does not need any special equipment.…”

Tai Chi Chuan Alters Brain Functional Network Plasticity and Promotes Cognitive Flexibility

“…Previous studies have found that exercise can enhance the functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate and the precuneus (Chirles et al, 2017 ). Tai Chi Chuan is a “moving meditation” (Yao et al, 2021 ). It involves elements of mindfulness and meditation that constantly guide the individual to focus on himself (breathing, movement, etc.)…”

Tai Chi versus conventional exercise for improving cognitive function in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…More importantly, these exercise modalities are found to provoke different structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with executive function, memory, and visuospatial processing in healthy adults 19 , 20 . Common brain adaptation patterns are also found between individuals well-trained in Tai Chi and their counterparts practicing meditation or conventional exercise alone 21 . Meditation alone is beneficial to memory and cognitive flexibility, which is a subdomain of executive function 22 , hence it is conceivable that the meditation element of Tai Chi can augment the effects of the physical exercise element on various cognitive domains or subdomains.…”