Effects of a Tai Chi rehabilitation program implemented using a hybrid online and offline mode on oxidative stress...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Exercise training is integral to cardiac rehabilitation for CHD patients.
• Novel rehabilitation modalities are needed to manage oxidative stress and inflammation in CHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a hybrid online/offline Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program (TCCRP).
• To assess the impact of TCCRP on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in CHD patients.
• To compare TCCRP with conventional exercise rehabilitation programs (CERP).

Main Methods:

• 34 CHD patients were randomized into TCCRP (n=14) or CERP (n=20) groups.
• Intervention lasted 12 weeks, with assessments at baseline and post-intervention.
• Key biomarkers measured included Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Main Results:

• TCCRP significantly reduced MDA (oxidative stress marker) and increased SOD (antioxidant marker).
• TCCRP also significantly increased IL-10 (anti-inflammatory marker).
• CERP only showed a significant improvement in SOD; TCCRP demonstrated broader benefits.

Conclusions:

• A 12-week hybrid TCCRP effectively alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in CHD patients.
• The program may modulate the balance of oxidative/antioxidative and pro-/anti-inflammatory factors.
• Hybrid TCCRP presents a promising, accessible rehabilitation strategy for coronary heart disease.