Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study

Introduction: Tai Chi, originally a Chinese martial art, is now recognised as an effective form of aerobic exercise beneficial for cardiac rehabilitation and mental well-being. It involves gentle movements, deep breathing, and relaxation, promoting body awareness and focus. Classified as a moderate-...

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Main Authors: Seema Das, Somyata C Satpathy Sarma, Subarna Sankar Das, Trishna Kakati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21165/77279_CE[Ra1]__F(IS)_QC(KR)_PF1(KA_SL)_redo_PFA(IS)_PB(KA_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Seema Das
Somyata C Satpathy Sarma
Subarna Sankar Das
Trishna Kakati
author_facet Seema Das
Somyata C Satpathy Sarma
Subarna Sankar Das
Trishna Kakati
author_sort Seema Das
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Tai Chi, originally a Chinese martial art, is now recognised as an effective form of aerobic exercise beneficial for cardiac rehabilitation and mental well-being. It involves gentle movements, deep breathing, and relaxation, promoting body awareness and focus. Classified as a moderate-intensity exercise (2.6-6.5 MET), Tai Chi has shown clinical benefits, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises by comparing baseline and post-exercise VO2max scores in cancer patients after chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study commenced in March 2022 and was completed in September 2022, affiliated with the College of Physiotherapy and Medical Sciences under Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India. A total of 30 subjects were assessed, of whom sevenwere excluded, two declined, and 21 participated. After seven dropouts, 15 participants (aged 20-60 years, diagnosed with breast, stomach, or colorectal cancer) at stage II who had completed all doses of chemotherapy completed a 6-week Tai Chi programme (30-minute sessions twice a week). VO2max was measured pre- and post-intervention. Demographic data (gender, height, weight, cancer type, chemotherapy doses, and vital signs) were considered. SPSS software version 25 was used, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was applied, and a paired t-test was conducted for parametric analysis, with statistical significance set at p<0.05, where p<0.001 was considered highly significant. Results: Fifteen post-chemotherapy patients participated in a 6-week Tai Chi programme. Pre- and post-programme VO2max values were analysed using paired sample t-tests, with the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. The sample consisted of 33% males and 67% females, with a mean age of 42.8 years (SD=8.41). VO2max increased from a pre-exercise mean of 32.92 to a post-exercise mean of 36.64. Statistical analysis in SPSS version 25 showed significant improvement (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study indicates that a 6-week Tai Chi exercise programme significantly improves VO2max in cancer patients post-chemotherapy, suggesting its potential as an effective rehabilitative intervention for enhancing cardiovascular fitness and overall well-being in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-e755b5c1a1854ca98aacf9da80edc05e2025-08-20T03:29:15ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-07-01197YC01YC0610.7860/JCDR/2025/77279.21165Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental StudySeema Das0Somyata C Satpathy Sarma1Subarna Sankar Das2Trishna Kakati3Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati, Assam, India.Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Girijananda Chowdhury University, Guwahati, Assam, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India.Introduction: Tai Chi, originally a Chinese martial art, is now recognised as an effective form of aerobic exercise beneficial for cardiac rehabilitation and mental well-being. It involves gentle movements, deep breathing, and relaxation, promoting body awareness and focus. Classified as a moderate-intensity exercise (2.6-6.5 MET), Tai Chi has shown clinical benefits, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises by comparing baseline and post-exercise VO2max scores in cancer patients after chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study commenced in March 2022 and was completed in September 2022, affiliated with the College of Physiotherapy and Medical Sciences under Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India. A total of 30 subjects were assessed, of whom sevenwere excluded, two declined, and 21 participated. After seven dropouts, 15 participants (aged 20-60 years, diagnosed with breast, stomach, or colorectal cancer) at stage II who had completed all doses of chemotherapy completed a 6-week Tai Chi programme (30-minute sessions twice a week). VO2max was measured pre- and post-intervention. Demographic data (gender, height, weight, cancer type, chemotherapy doses, and vital signs) were considered. SPSS software version 25 was used, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was applied, and a paired t-test was conducted for parametric analysis, with statistical significance set at p<0.05, where p<0.001 was considered highly significant. Results: Fifteen post-chemotherapy patients participated in a 6-week Tai Chi programme. Pre- and post-programme VO2max values were analysed using paired sample t-tests, with the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. The sample consisted of 33% males and 67% females, with a mean age of 42.8 years (SD=8.41). VO2max increased from a pre-exercise mean of 32.92 to a post-exercise mean of 36.64. Statistical analysis in SPSS version 25 showed significant improvement (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study indicates that a 6-week Tai Chi exercise programme significantly improves VO2max in cancer patients post-chemotherapy, suggesting its potential as an effective rehabilitative intervention for enhancing cardiovascular fitness and overall well-being in this population.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21165/77279_CE[Ra1]__F(IS)_QC(KR)_PF1(KA_SL)_redo_PFA(IS)_PB(KA_IS)_PN(IS).pdfadjuvantcardiorespiratory fitnesschinese martial artneoplasms
spellingShingle Seema Das
Somyata C Satpathy Sarma
Subarna Sankar Das
Trishna Kakati
Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
adjuvant
cardiorespiratory fitness
chinese martial art
neoplasms
title Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
title_full Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
title_short Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on VO2max in Patients with Cancer after Chemotherapy: An Experimental Study
title_sort effectiveness of tai chi exercise on vo2max in patients with cancer after chemotherapy an experimental study
topic adjuvant
cardiorespiratory fitness
chinese martial art
neoplasms
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21165/77279_CE[Ra1]__F(IS)_QC(KR)_PF1(KA_SL)_redo_PFA(IS)_PB(KA_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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