Effects of tai chi cardiac rehabilitation program on anxiety and depression in patients with coronary heart disease: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is commonly accompanied with anxiety and depression, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to explore the effects of a Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program (TCCRP) on anxiety and depression in patients with CHD to inform other rehabilitation programs. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. A total of 56 patients diagnosed with CHD were selected from three rehabilitation centers. The patients were randomized and assigned into two groups: the experimental TCCRP and the control conventional exercise cardiac rehabilitation program (CECRP) group. Both groups underwent an 11-month rehabilitation intervention, including 2-month in-hospital rehabilitation plus 9month home-based rehabilitation. The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) scale was used to assess anxiety, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression in patients with CHD. Results: No significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). After intervention, the level of GAD-7 in TCCRP group significantly reduced (P < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was noticed in the CECRP group (P > 0.05). After intervention, the levels of PHQ-9 in TCCRP (P < 0.01) and CECRP groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, the level of PHQ-9 in TCCRP group showed a downward trend during the intervention process and was lower than that in CECRP group, with a significant difference at P < 0.05. Conclusion: TCCRP developed in China may effectively relieve anxiety and depression in patients with CHD. The effect was apparently better than a routine exercise program (CECRP) and could be promoted for cardiac rehabilitation. This study was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT03936504).