The effect of 6 weeks Tai chi training on TNF-α serum levels and sleep quality in women with stroke

Since stroke increases pro-inflammatory cytokines and affects sleep quality, the effect of Tai Chi training on TNF-α serum levels and sleep quality in women with stroke was determined in the present study.

Twenty women in Qom city with stroke (mean age: 65.8±3.5y, weight: 68.4±14 kg and body mass index: 26.3± 5.1kg.m2) were voluntarily chosen and randomly divided into empirical group (10 patients) and control group (10 patients). empirical group trained 6 weeks, three time per week for 60 minutes. Serum TNF-α was analyzed in pretest and post-test from all subjects, in the fasting state. Also sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Data were analyzed using the independent samples T-test and paired samples T-test

Tai Chi group showed a significant improvement in serum TNF-α(p<0.007). Despitethe improvement in sleep quality, no significant differences were observed between the two groups (p>0.05).

The resultsof this study showed that Tai Chi can be considered as a useful intervention to improve women inflammatorystatus with stroke.