The Effect of Tai Chi on Quality of Life in Centrally Obese Adults with Depression.

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effects of a program on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in centrally obese adults with depression. Two hundred thirteen participants were randomly allocated to either a intervention group ( = 106) or a usual medical care control group ( = 107). The group involved 3 × 1.5 h supervised and group-based training sessions per week for 24 weeks. Indicators of HR-QOL were assessed by questionnaire at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. There were significant improvements in favor of the group for the SF-36 subscales of physical functioning ( < 0.01), role physical ( < 0.01), and role emotional ( < 0.01) at 12 and 24 weeks. Scores for bodily pain were improved in the control group at 12 weeks ( < 0.01) and 24 weeks ( < 0.05), but not in the group. There was also a significant improvement in favor of the control group in general health ( < 0.05) at 12 weeks, but not at 24 weeks. A further analysis showed clinically significant changes in favor of the group in physical functioning ( < 0.05 or  = 0.05), role physical ( < 0.05), and role emotional ( < 0.05), and in favor of the control group in bodily pain ( < 0.05) at 12 and 24 weeks. The findings show that exercise improved indicators of HR-QOL including physical functioning, role physical, and role emotional in centrally obese adults with depression.