The effects of tai chi on measures of stress and coping style

Abstract Background The biological response (heart‐rate variability; HRV ) to an acute psychological stressor, as well as cognitive changes in anxiety and coping style following tai chi ( TC ) in healthy male college students, has not been investigated in the literature. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TC on: (1) HRV biomarkers of acute psychological stress, (2) state anxiety, and (3) coping style in healthy male college students. Methods The study was an RCT , in which the experimental group ( n =9) received TC (twice a week for 8 weeks) and the control (C) group ( n =11) did not receive treatment. Reactions to an acute psychological stressor were measured by the HRV 's standard deviation of normal to normal intervals ( SDNN ), and Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ). Four ‘trials’ (baseline; stressor; recovery 1 and recovery 2) were conducted, with pre‐tests/post‐tests performed for both study groups. The Problem‐Focused Styles of Coping ( PFSOC ) questionnaire was used to examine coping styles pre‐test/post‐test for both groups. Results Significant differences were found: (1) for group, test, and trial, the interaction of trial by group, and the interaction of test by trial for SDNN , P <0.05; (2) for test, trial, and the interaction of test by group for STAI ( P <0.05); and (3) for the interaction of group and test for the suppressive coping style ( P <0.05). Conclusions Tai chi affects biological reactions to an acute psychological stressor, perceptions of anxiety to an acute stressor and coping styles in healthy male college students.