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

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. 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 9-month 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. 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. 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).