Effect of tai chi program on cardiovascular responses and quality of life in patients with heart failure: Randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the Tai-Chi program on cardiovascular responses and quality of life in patients with heart failure. In this randomized controlled trial, the sample consisted of 33 patients with heart failure (intervention = 15, control = 18). Interventions into the intervention group were include individualized education on heart failure and Tai Chai exercises two sessions a week for 12 weeks. The control group was only given individualized education on heart failure. Aminothermal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, six-minute walking test, left ventricular ejection fraction, Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale measurements were taken on the intervention group and the control group using at the beginning and at the 12th week. ANCOVA analysis was performed in order to measure the differences between the intervention and control groups based on their post-test results. Evaluation of the missing data was performed with the intention-to-treat analysis. It was detected that there was a significant difference in favor of the intervention group in the results of the post-test aminotermal pro B-type natriutic peptid test customized based on the pre-test results of the patients in the intervention and control groups [F(1,30) = 8.269, p = 0.007], left ventricule ejection fraction result [F(1,30) = 33.892, p < 0.001], six-minute walking test [F(1,30) = 118.557, p < 0.001], and the Left Ventricule Disfunction Scale [F(1,30) = 5.633, p = 0.024]. According to eta square values, the change in Tai Chi application aminothermal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, left ventricular ejection fraction, six-minute walking test, and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale post-test scores were 21.6%, 53%, 79.8%, and 15.8%, respectively. The 12-week Tai-Chi exercise program yielded positive cardiovascular effects and improved the quality of life of patients with heart failure. The Tai-Chi can be recommended as a beneficial physical activity for patients with heart failure.