Tai Chi Intervention and Its Impact on Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Oncology Patients

Tai Chi has emerged as a promising therapeutic exercise within sport and exercise oncology, integrating physical conditioning with psychophysiological regulation to support cancer recovery. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined sixteen quantitative studies investigating Tai Chi’s effects on anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. Evidence synthesis revealed consistent improvements across psychological and physical domains, with a pooled standardized mean difference of 0.69 (95% CI 0.44–0.95) favoring Tai Chi over control conditions for global QoL. Mechanistic findings showed parallel reductions in cortisol, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein, as well as enhanced heart-rate variability, indicating restored autonomic and immune balance. Compared with aerobic or resistance exercise, Tai Chi achieved similar or greater improvements in emotional well-being through its dual emphasis on mindfulness and controlled movement, promoting parasympathetic activation, self-efficacy, and motor coordination. From a sport-science perspective, Tai Chi operates as a mind–body neuromotor training system that fosters both physical and psychological resilience. It represents a safe, low-impact, and culturally adaptable intervention suitable for diverse cancer populations and treatment phases. Future large-scale, mechanism-driven randomized controlled trials are needed to define optimal training parameters, dose–response relationships, and long-term physiological adaptations underlying Tai Chi’s integrative therapeutic effects in oncology rehabilitation.