Evidence Based Practice

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Article Analysis and Critique "The Effect of Tai Chi in Reducing Anxiety in an Ambulatory Population

By : Kimberly A Hoffman-Smith

Albert Ma

Cheng-Tsung Yeh

Nancy L . DeGuire

Jacqueline

. Smith

From : Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (2009 . Vol . 14 Issue 1 , 95-102

Anxiety is a multi-faceted dis that appears to be growing in prevalence . Since exacting definitions of the condition are hard to develop it is not known for certain whether anxiety is in fact , worse or simply that the reporting of it

is more common in an era when we are more cognizant of psychological maladies

The study in question by Hoffmann-Smith et al from 2009 describes well the potential toll anxiety can take on the social , emotional and economic functions of individuals and their resulting effect on society It also demonstrates the drawbacks of treatment through traditional medicine . Therefore , the careful study of alternative treatments such as Tai Chi (Qigong ) is well-justified

This study by Hoffmann-Smith et al evaluated the psychological and physical effects of an intervention based on Tai Chi exercise . The authors conclude that the effect of Tai Chi on anxiety is promising but stop short of drawing direct causal links between the two . Despite its flaws , the study does highlight the potential for future research

Background

The positive effects of exercise on well being are firmly established What benefits the body benefits the mind . Unfortunately many people have difficulty finding the time or interest to do it on a...