Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2009 Feb;39(1):136-144. Korean.
    Published online Feb 28, 2009.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.1.136
    Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

    Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Post-menopausal Women

    Rhayun Song,1 Sukhee Ahn,1 Hee Young So,1 In Sook Park,1 Hyun Li Kim,1 Kyung Ok Joo,2 and Jong Sung Kim3
      • 1Professor, Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
      • 2Researcher, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
      • 3Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Ahn, Sukhee. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 6 Munhwa 1-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: 82-42-580-8324, Fax: 82-42-584-8915, Email: sukheeahn@cnu.ac.kr
    Received November 06, 2008; Accepted January 23, 2009.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    Natural menopause resulting in the decline in endogenous estrogen concentrations is responsible for an increased risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a 6-month Tai Chi exercise program on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life in post-menopausal women.

    Methods

    A quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures was used. The participants in the study, 29 women in the Tai Chi group and 31 in the control group, were enrolled for 6 months.

    Results

    After 6 months of Tai Chi exercise, total cholesterol (M=213 to 185), LDL-cholesterol (M=135 to 128), and their 10 yr cardiovascular disease risk (M=2.62 to 2.27) had improved significantly for the Tai Chi participants compared to the control group. Total scores for quality of life along with the sub-dimensions of health perception and mental functioning were also significantly higher in the Tai Chi participants.

    Conclusion

    Tai Chi exercise favorably affected cardiovascular health and quality of life in post-menopausal women after 6 months. Additional rigorous studies are needed to examine long term effects on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.

    Keywords
    Postmenopausal period; Women; Tai Chi; Cardiovascular disease; Quality of life

    Tables

    Table 1
    General Characteristics of Participants

    Table 2
    Homogeneity Test of Study Variables at the Baseline

    Table 3
    Group Comparisons on Cardiovascular Risk Factors at the Posttest

    Table 4
    Group Comparisons on Quality of Life and Sub-dimensions at the Posttest

    Notes

    This study was financially supported by the research fund of Chungnam National University in 2007.

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    MeSH Terms
    Quality of Life*
    Tai Ji*
    Aged
    Attitude to Health
    Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control*
    Cholesterol/blood
    Exercise Therapy
    Female
    Health Status
    Humans
    Middle Aged
    Postmenopause
    Risk Factors
    Metrics
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