Information What can I do? Treatments Tinnitus and T'ai Chi Name of treatment Tai chi (T’ai chi ch’üan, Tàijí quán) Type of treatment Chinese martial art/system of movement Claims for treatment Improves general health. Removes focus from tinnitus, brings calm and mental clarity. How treatment is delivered A sequence of flowing movements Potential negative consequences Cost Evidence offered: Papers available There have been no papers published on T’ai chi as a treatment for tinnitus[1]. Conclusions drawn Two systematic reviews have suggested that T’ai chi has health benefits for a number of physical and psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety and general stress management. No adverse effects were reported [2],[3] Quality of evidence[4] A (where it exists) Does the BTA recommend this treatment? Current tinnitus management guidelines suggest the use of relaxation strategies to help manage tinnitus. T’ai chi may be considered as a way to improve relaxation. BTA opinion on this treatment: There is no evidence to support the use of T’ai chi over other relaxation strategies, but some people may find it useful. Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment? Yes Verdict: Safety - is this treatment harmful? Generally regarded as safe Verdict: Efficacy - does this treatment work? No evidence that it is effective Date completed February 2020 Date for revision February 2023 We welcome feedback on all our information. Please send any corrections or updates for consideration to Nic Wray, Communications Manager on [email protected] Download this information: Tinnitus and tai chi [1] Pubmed search by author 10 February 2020 [2] Huston P, McFarlane B. (2016) Health Benefits of Tai Chi: What is the Evidence? Canadian Family Physician. 62 (11) 881-890. Available from https://www.cfp.ca/content/62/11/881.long [accessed 10 February 2020] [3] Wang F, Lee E-K O, Wu T, Benson H et al. (2014) The Effects of Tai Chi on Depression, Anxiety, and Psychological Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Behavioural Medicine. 21 (4) 605-617. DOI: 10.1007/s12529-013-9351-9 [4] A = Systematic review/meta analysis. B = Randomised control studies. C = Cohort studies. D = Case control studies. E = case studies/reports. +/- to be used to indicate quality within bands Image by Gianni Crestani via Pixabay Page updated 10 February 2020