Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment and Prevention of Mental Disorders
KEY POINTS
Tai Chi and Qigong are evidence-based approaches to improve health-related quality of
life, and they may be effective for a range of physical health conditions.
Evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that Tai Chi and Qigong may be
effective in reducing depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and mood disturbances.
Minimal research supports Tai Chi and Qigong as promising treatments for Parkinson
disease, traumatic brain injury, insomnia, substance abuse, and cognitive impairment.
Indications for Tai Chi and Qigong include inadequate response to other evidence-based
treatments, physical comorbidities known to be responsive to Tai Chi and Qigong,
patients interested in exercise-based or mindfulness-based interventions, and in geriatric
patients who are more susceptible to adverse effects from pharmacologic therapies.
