Researchers of the University of California carried out a study in order to find out if tai chi was anyhow beneficial to elderly people suffering from several health issues and it was found that tai chi helps to relieve symptoms of depression in older people.

Scientists have been conducting several studies previously which have shown tai chi’s benefits to patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia but this is the first study to establish a link between tai chi and depression.

Generally, it is very difficult to treat depression in older people as they are less likely to respond to drug treatment as they also face other health problems.

Before arriving at this conclusion, researchers included 112 adults in the study and all of them were treated with Lexapro initially. About 73 of the 112 subjects showed a partial improvement in their depression.

After rest of the patients dropped out of the study, the remaining patients were divided into two groups. One group was assigned a 10-week course of tai chi and the other was supposed to go through a health education class.

After 10 weeks of tai chi, researchers found that 94% of depressed older adults reported a significant improvement as compared to 77% in health education group.

Dr. Helen Lavretsky, lead author and Professor of psychiatry at U. C. L. A., said, “I’m sure the social aspect contributed to the improvement in both groups. In the control group we see improvement, and that was purely because of the social interaction and bonding that occurred”.