The Effect of T'ai Chi Exercise on Autonomic Nervous Function of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of t'ai chi (TC) on heart rate variability (HRV) from baseline to 9 months in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Design: A comparative trial was undertaken comparing the acute and long-term effect of TC on HRV in patients with CAD. Participants: Sixty-one (61) subjects with CAD undergoing percutaneous intervention or coronary bypass grafting for a period of more than 1 month were recruited from the clinics of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery at Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Taiwan. Interventions: The experimental group (n = 22) practiced weekly 90-minute Yang's style TC for 9 months and the control group (n = 39) continued their normal daily physical activity. Main outcome measures: HRV was recorded at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months in the control group. Resting HRV was recorded before TC exercise and recovery HRV was recorded 30 minutes post TC at the same four time points in the experimental group. Result...