Minderung physiologischer Reaktivität auf psychosozialen
Stress durch Taiji-Training – wer profitiert besonders? Eine Untersuchung
moderierender Effekte von selbstberichteter dispositioneller psychologischer
Stressreaktivität und Achtsamkeit
Subtitle: Reduction of physiological
reactivity to psychosocial stress by Taiji practice – who benefits the
most? An investigation of moderating effects of self-reported dispositional
psychological stress reactivity and mindfulness
Affiliations: Universität Bern, Kollegiale Instanz für
Komplementärmedizin | Universität Bern, Institut für Sport und
Bewegungswissenschaften | Universität Bern, Institut für Psychologie,
Biologische Psychologie und Gesundheitspsychologie
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Marko Nedeljkovic, Universität Bern,
Kollegiale Instanz für Komplementärmedizin KIKOM, Imhoof-Pavillon,
Inselspital, Bern. Tel.: +41 (0)31 632 97 58; Fax: +41 (0)31 632 42 62; Email:
marko.nedeljkovic@kikom.unibe.ch
Abstract: Theoretical background and objectives: Stress reducing effects of
Taiji practice have been repeatedly reported. The aim of the present study was
to investigate which persons benefit the most from Taiji practice in terms of
reduced physiological stress reactivity. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled Taiji trial that significantly lowered
stress reactivity of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase in a Taiji group (n =
26) compared to a control group (n = 23). By using hierarchical regression
analyses potential moderating influences of self-reported trait-mindfulness and
trait values of general psychological stress reactivity on stress protective
effects of a three months Taiji training were examined. Moderator variables
were assessed at the beginning of the study using the
Freiburg-Mindfulness-Inventory and the Perceived- Stress-Reactivity-Scale. Results: The interaction effect "study group x
mindfulness" was significant for stress reactivity of salivary
alpha-amylase (p = 0.050). Participants in the Taiji group with higher
trait-mindfulness showed a lower salivary alpha-amylase stress reactivity,
while in the control group higher trait-mindfulness was associated with higher
alpha-amylase stress reactivity. In the control group (p = 0.042) but not in
the Taiji group (p = 0.69) salivary cortisol stress reactivity was
significantly increased in persons with higher trait-mindfulness scores. We
could not find moderating effects of general psychological stress reactivity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that without intervention higher
trait-mindfulness is associated with increased physiological stress reactivity.
Persons with higher trait-mindfulness seem to benefit the most from practicing
Taiji in terms of reduced sympathetic stress reactivity.
