The Effect Of Tai Chi Training On The Depression Level Of Young Adults With Subthreshold Depression And Its Correlation With HPA Axis

Objective:To observe effectiveness of Tai Chi on on depression level of young adults with subthreshold depression through randomized controlled design,and to explore the relationship between the changes of depression level of young adults with subthreshold depression and HPA axis.Methods:A total of 64 young adults with subthreshold depression were randomly allocated into Tai Chi group and blank control group,32 in each group.The Tai Chi group received the 24 forms simplified Tai Chi training for 12 weeks,three times a week,each time for 60 minutes.Subjects in the blank control group maintained their original lifestyle.9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9),Chinese 14-Item Perceived Stress Scale(CPSS),Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36)were used to evaluate the subjects’ depression level,stress level and quality of life before and after the intervention.At the same time,the morning basic plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH),morning basic serum cortisol and salivary Cortisol awakening response(CAR)of the subjects were measured before and after the intervention to evaluate the change of HPA axis activity.Results:1.Baseline comparison: General information between the two groups of subjects(age,gender,years of education,Body Mass Index,monthly living expenses,parental emotional state,personal emotional state,family atmosphere,relationship with parents,professional satisfaction,daily mobile phone Usage and CES-D score)and evaluation indicators(PHQ-9,CPSS,SF-36,morning basal plasma ACTH,morning basal serum cortisol,saliva cortisol awakening response)were not statistically different Significance(P>0.05).2.Depression level: After intervention,the PHQ-9 score of Tai Chi group was lower than that of blank control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).3.Stress level: After intervention,the total score of CPSS and the score of tension in Tai Chi group were lower than those in the blank control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).4.Quality of life: After intervention,the Tai Chi group scored higher than the blank control group in General Health,Vitality,Social Functioning,Mental Health,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).5.HPA axis activity: After intervention,the area under the curve relative to ground(AUCg)and the area under the curve with respect to increase(AUCi)in the Tai Chi group were lower than those in the blank control group(P<0.05).The concentrations of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol decreased compared with the blank control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).6.Correlation between the change of depression level and the change of HPA axis: The difference of PHQ-9 score in Tai Chi group was positively correlated with the difference of cortisol 30 min after awakening,AUCg and AUCi(P<0.05).Conclusions:1.12 weeks of Tai Chi training can improve the depression level of young adults with subthreshold depression,and have a certain improvement on their stress level and quality of life.2.Tai Chi training’s improvement effect on the depression level of young adults with subthreshold depression may be related to the regulation of HPA axis activity.