Effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on cellular immunity in post-surgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors: A randomized pilot trial

Although emerging evidence points to benefits from Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) in improving immune system function, its effects on cellular immune responses remain under-studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of TCC training on cellular immunity in non-small cell lung cancer patients. A 2-group randomized trial design in which post-surgical, non-small cell lung cancer survivors were randomly assigned to a TCC training group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). The participants in the TCC group completed a 16-week intervention. The main immune response outcome measures assayed included the ratio of T-helper cells/T-suppressor cells (CD4+:CD8+ ratio) and complement regulatory proteins status (CRPs; CD55 and CD59). Using repeated measures ANOVA, the data were analyzed for the participants who completed the study (n = 27). At 16 weeks, the TCC participants showed a significantly lower increment in the expression of CD55 (p < 0.05) as compared to the control group. No significant between-group differences were found in the CD4+:CD8+ ratio or CD59 expression. There were also no significant correlations among the changes in CRPs or T lymphocyte subpopulations, either. A 16-week TCC intervention caused no alterations in CD4+:CD8+ ratio, but significantly attenuated CD55 expression among post-surgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors.