In this study, blood samples from ninety Los Angeles breast cancer survivors who attended twice-weekly Tai Chi or cognitive behavioral therapy sessions for three months were examined by researchers.
The subjects’ sleeplessness decreased similarly with Tai Chi and cognitive behavioral treatment.
However, blood samples obtained over a 15-month period showed that Tai Chi led to significant and long-lasting reductions in inflammation compared to cognitive behavioral therapy.
The immune system’s antiviral activity increased in Tai Chi participants as well, but cognitive behavioral therapy led to significantly greater benefits.
According to studies, they may help lower the chance of breast cancer recurrence in survivors.
A recent study found that Tai Chi may improve sleep, which helps breast cancer survivors’ immune systems and reduce inflammation.
This ancient Chinese martial arts technique involves precise, deliberate movements that are performed while the practitioner takes a deep breath and focuses on their body.
The journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity just published the investigators’ research findings. They discovered that this mind-body method could help breast cancer patients manage the consequences of their disease just as well as, if not more effectively, cognitive behavioral therapy.
Researchers’ background notes indicate that sleeplessness affects about 30% of breast cancer survivors, which is twice as common as it is in the overall population.
Dr. Michael Irwin is a researcher and the head of the UCLA Health Mindful Awareness Research Center.
According to experts, the findings demonstrate that Tai Chi can successfully support breast cancer survivors in maintaining their health at a small cost to the healthcare system.
According to a news release, Irwin stated, “Tai Chi can be readily provided in community settings, at minimal cost, and can treat insomnia in adults, older adults, and cancer survivors.”
Irwin noted that further investigation is necessary to determine whether combining the two treatments could result in even more alleviation from insomnia.
According to Irwin, “Cognitive behavioral therapy preferentially improves… resistance to infectious disease, whereas Tai Chi preferentially reduces inflammation.” “More research is required to fully understand the benefits of Tai Chi in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly for cancer survivors who are susceptible to both infectious disease and inflammatory disorders.”
