A cross-sectional study of factors associated with psychosocial wellbeing among older Tai Chi practitioners

Ana Lea, James Collett, Lachlan Cribb, Zhen Zheng, PSDV Podugu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: We examined whether longer term Tai Chi practice was associated with better subjective psychosocial wellbeing in healthy, older Tai Chi practitioners. Method: This study used a cross-sectional design with volunteer response sampling to recruit participants through senior community Tai Chi centres, who met inclusion criteria including: (i) currently practicing Tai Chi; (ii) aged 65 years and above; (iii) in good general health; (iv) proficient in English; (v) living independently. Healthy, older Tai Chi practitioners (N = 76, mean age = 72.33, SD = 5.80) completed self-rated measures of psychosocial wellbeing including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), balance confidence, self-efficacy, subjective memory complaints, and loneliness. Results: Preliminary comparison with normative older populations demonstrated that this sample of Tai Chi practitioners had better mean scores on mental health t(75)=7.99, p=<0.001, physical health t(75)=13.95 p=<0.001, self-efficacy t(74)=10.16 p=<0.001, balance confidence t(74) =39.29 p=<0.001, and subjective memory complaints t(74)=-9.80 p<0.001. Weak, negative associations were observed between longer Tai Chi practice, mental health F(5, 70)=2.914 p=.019 and emotional role F(5, 70)=2.834 p=.022. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated no evidence of a positive relationship between longer Tai Chi practice and HRQoL, balance confidence, self-efficacy, subjective memory complaints, or loneliness. Discussion: Healthy older practitioners demonstrated significantly better psychosocial wellbeing compared to non-practitioner older adults. This signals that Tai Chi may protect older adults from psychosocial stressors and foster psychosocial wellbeing.
Original languageEnglish
Article number102214
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Integrative Medicine
Volume57
Early online dateDec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023

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