IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Short abstract
Stress is an inseparable part of life. Its potentially negative impact can be reduced by using various relaxation techniques. Exercise systems derived from Eastern martial arts systems are increasingly used for relaxation. Taiji Quan is a crystallization of Chinese knowledge and experience in the field of human bodily health. All over the world millions of people devote themselves to this system of exercise for a variety of health reasons. These exercises are also successfully used in rehabilitation clinics. Taiji Quan is also increasingly becoming the subject of scientific research in many countries. This publication is an overview of scientific research contained in online databases and the authors’ research into the importance of the impact of Taiji Quan & Qigong forms on people’s psycho-emotional state. The aim of this paper is to analyze the potential impact of the Taiji Quan and Qigong system of techniques on the regulation of emotional state, based on instrumental, survey and theoretical research contained in the available literature on the subject.

Extended abstract
Problem and Aim. The main topic of modern psychology, as well as psychopathology, becomes the possibility of influencing the regulation of emotions in such a way that they are not dysfunctional for the human being and, on the other hand, that they retain their informative and adaptive aspect. Understanding the basics of the mechanisms of emotional regulation at an early stage of their occurrence, or experiencing them in a way that does not knock the body out of the broadly understood balance, becomes one of the main tasks.
Methods. The review, retrospective collective analysis of the results of many studies (randomized non-randomized, observational, psychological and complex studies) contained in several Internet databases (Scopus, Science Direct, KlinicalKey, Web of Science) was undertaken to synthesize them and conducted to 2020. The data were extracted and verified by two reviewers. The terms used for the review are “Tai Chi”, “Chi Kung”, “Taiji Quan”, “Qigong”, “Tai Chi Chuan”, “Ta’i chi”, “tai ji”, “Tai Ji Quan”, and “taijiquan”. 65 scientific articles related to the research topic have been included. The statistical analysis was performed with the Statistica 13.1 software by StatSoft. The analysis used the Lilliefors test to assess the normality of the distributions of the obtained results. In this way, an attempt was made to determine whether the frequency of research into a given area was higher or lower than in other areas. The level of statistical significance was considered to be p<0.05.
Results. The practice of Taji Quan and Qigong forms is associated with the improvement in the quality of psychosocial life and mental well-being, including the reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, mood and sleep disorders. The final conclusions from the analyses of the available studies are limited due to differences in research construction affecting the comparative sphere. Further randomized studies are needed to obtain additional clinical information.
The strengths of the review were a comprehensive literature search and data quality assessment. The limitation came from the fact that qualitative data synthesis was often based on the statistical significance of results in studies with small sample sizes.
Conclusions. Taiji Quan and Qigong exercises have a potential impact on the ability of healthy people to relax; They have an impact on the activation of positive mental states of people exercising; They have an impact on the reduction of everyday stress, they can be performed regardless of age, fitness level or health condition. For healthy people, they will be preventive exercises, and for people with ailments, effective therapy. It is worth spreading this kind of exercises as a good system, useful in the process of prevention of lifestyle diseases. The clinical significance of Taiji & Qigong exercises in terms of size and long-term sustainability of its results should be tested in future studies with larger samples. Future systematic reviews should be carried out by properly reporting methodological details and following the guidelines for carrying out such reviews.