Tai Chi Therapy Against Depression is Encouraging
Sunil Samant
designed a Tai Chi exercise programme to fight depression, diabetes
and obesity said Wednesday that an initial trial of the programme is
encouraging, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
Hailing the programme as a breakthrough in the fight against
depression, diabetes and obesity, the University of Queensland
scientist said 50 volunteers took part in the three-month trial of the
SMILE exercise regime.
The proportion of participants with clinical levels of depression
dropped from 60 percent to 20 percent.
Participants also saw significant reductions in their body mass index
and waist circumference.
"Without involvement of any dietary intervention and high intensity
training, it was very encouraging to see such impressive results over
a short period of time," Liu said.
In addition to the improvements in depression and obesity,
participants also said they slept better, had more energy, higher self-
esteem and improved confidence.
With one in five Australians experiencing depression at some stage of
their lives, Liu said the programme has great potential to ease
suffering.
-- BERNAMA