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Effects of Taiji Practice on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion in Healthy Participants—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Nedeljkovic, Marko ; Wirtz, Petra ; Ausfeld-Hafter, Brigitte

In: Mindfulness, 2012, vol. 3, no. 3, p. 200-208

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    Titel
    • Effects of Taiji Practice on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion in Healthy Participants—A Randomized Controlled Trial
    Autor
    • Nedeljkovic, Marko. Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Bern, Imhoof-Pavillon, Inselspital, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
    • Wirtz, Petra. Institute of Psychology, Department of Biological and Health Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Ausfeld-Hafter, Brigitte. Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Bern, Imhoof-Pavillon, Inselspital, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
    Dokumententyp
    • Postprint
    Sprache
    • Englisch
    Veröffentlicht in
    • Mindfulness, 2012, vol. 3, no. 3, p. 200-208. Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com
    Andere elektronische Ausgabe
    OAI-PMH-ID
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:314849
    Summary
    Taiji is regarded as a mind-body practice that is characterized by gentle and mindful body movements. In contrast to the continuously growing evidence base supporting the beneficial effects of Taiji on physical and mental well-being, studies investigating its underlying mechanisms are still scarce. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of Taiji practice on self-attribution of mindfulness and self-compassion, two potential components well known for their health promoting effects. Seventy healthy participants (age range: 23-50years) were randomly assigned either to the intervention group or to a wait list control group. The intervention group attended Taiji classes twice a week for 3months. Before, shortly after and 2months after the intervention, we measured the degree of self-attributed mindfulness and self-compassion in all study participants by using self-report questionnaires. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significantly higher increase scores in self-attributed mindfulness after the intervention that persisted 2months later. Increases in self-attributed self-compassion were also higher in Taiji practitioners, with significant group differences from preintervention to follow-up assessment. Our findings suggest that Taiji practice can effectively enhance self-attribution of mindfulness and is likely to have beneficial effects on self-compassion in healthy participants. The role of mindfulness as a mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of Taiji practice warrants further research