The Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong Exercise on Psychological Status in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of Tai Chi and Qigong exercise on adolescents' symptoms of depression and anxiety, and psychological status based on clinical evidences, and to calculate the pooled results using meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search using seven English and three Chinese databases was initiated to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-randomized comparison studies (NRS) assessing the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong exercise on psychological status among adolescents. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the pooled effect of the intervention. Study quality was evaluated using a Checklist to Evaluate a Report of a Non-pharmacological Trial (CLEAR-NPT) designed for non-pharmacological trials.Results: Four RCTs and six NRS were identified, including 1,244 adolescents. The results suggested a potential beneficial effect of Tai chi and Qigong exercise on reducing anxiety (SMD = 0.386, 95 CI% [0.233, 0.538]) and depression (SMD = 1.937 [95 CI%, 1.392–2.546]) symptoms, and reducing cortisol level (SMD = 0.621 [95 CI%, 0.18–1.062]) in adolescents. Conversely, non-significant effects were found for stress, mood, and self-esteem.Conclusions: The findings of this review suggest Qigong appears to be an effective therapeutic modality to improve psychological well-being in adolescents. Hope future studies will have rigorously designed, well-controlled randomized trials with large sample sizes in order to confirm these findings.

Timed-release dihydroergotamine in the prophylaxis of mixed headache. A study versus amitriptyline

A pharmacological trial has been carried out on 41 out-patients suffering from mixed headache. The prophylactic effect of a timed-release dihydroergotamine formulation was tested versus amitriptyline. Patients reported daily, on appropriate cards, the hours of headache and the degree of pain during the month before therapy and on the following two months of treatment. Whereas amitriptyline was found to be more effective than dihydroergotamine in reducing headache intensity, timed-release dihydroergotamine was found significantly more effective than amitriptyline in reducing attacks of “migraine” type. Les auteurs ont conduit une étude pharmacologique sur 41 patients souffrant de céphalée mixte. L'effet préventif de la dihydroergotamine à libération programmée a été comparé à celui de l'amitriptiline. Les patients ont quotidiennement enregistré, sur des fiches spéciales, les heures de céphalée et le degré d'intensité de la douleur au cours du mois précédant la thérapie et durant les deux mois de traitement. La dihydroergotamine à libération programmée s'est avérée de façon significative plus efficace que l'amitriptiline dans la réduction de la fréquence des attaques de type hémialgique. Gli autori hanno condotto uno studio farmacologico su 41 pazienti sofferenti di cefalea mista. L'effetto preventivo della diidroergotamina a liberazione programmata è stato paragonato a quello della amitriptilina. I pazienti hanno riportato, quotidianamente, su apposite schede, le ore di cefalea ed il grado di intensità del dolore nel mese precedente la terapia e durante i due mesi di trattamento. La diidroergotamina a liberazione programmata è risultata significativamente più efficace dell'amitriptilina nel ridurre la frequenza degli attacchi ti tipo emicranico.