Psychological Effects of Tai Chi Training

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The general purpose of this study is to examine the effect of tai chi training on cognitive function in young adults. The investigators will test subjects enrolled in a semester-long tai chi course along with control subjects. The specific aims are to measure duration of practice, cognitive function, physical balance, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) indicators. The investigators primary hypotheses are that, compared to controls, subjects in the tai chi course will show improvements in (1a) spatial working memory and (1b) response inhibition. The investigators secondary hypotheses are that, among the subjects participating in the tai chi course, these cognitive improvements will correlate with (2a) improvements in balance and (2b) duration of tai chi practice, and that, among all participants, (2c) ADHD indications will correlate with cognitive measures.

Official Title
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Psychological Effects of Tai Chi Training

Conditions
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Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Tai Chi training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Able to perform balance and cognitive tests Exclusion Criteria:

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 23 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tai Chi Training<br>Subjects will be recruited from the University of Wisconsin-Madison course, Introduction to Martial Arts: Tai Chi. | Behavioral: Tai Chi training<br>* 24 form Yang style Tai Chi. 50 minute sessions, twice weekly.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Subjects will be recruited from the University of Wisconsin-Madison course Introduction to Psychology. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in working memory | CANTAB Spatial Working Memory Task: SWM between errors | Baseline and 14 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in physical balance | One Legged Stance Test. Time standing on one leg with eyes closed. Average over left and right leg of best of three trials on each side. | Baseline and 14 weeks | 
| Change in impulsivity | CANTAB Stop Signal Task: reaction time (SSRT). | Baseline and 14 weeks | 
| Change in affective processing | CANTAB Affective Go/No-Go Task: mean correct latency | Baseline and 14 weeks | 
| Change in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scale | World Health Organization adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS). Scoring of 6 item ASRS screener per Kessler et al. Psychological Medicine (2005) 35:245-256. | Baseline and 14 weeks | 
| Duration of practice | Total minutes of tai chi practice including class time. | 14 weeks |