Music has frequently been used in movement exercises to enhance health benefits. However, scientific evidence regarding the application of music to Tai Chi practice is limited.
Scientists from University of Texas at San Antonio and Loyola University New Orleans collaborated with Central South University in Changsha, China on a study to understand how music has been used in Tai Chi practice and whether music could be applied to Tai Chi practice to help optimize its benefits.
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They used studies that compare Tai Chi practice experience or health outcomes between individuals practicing Tai Chi with music and those practicing Tai Chi without music. Studies published through September 2022 were identified.
Seven studies were included in their review. They showed that practicing Tai Chi with music might lead to positive perceptions of Tai Chi practice (e.g., motivation, concentration, enjoyment, compliance, and performance) and higher evaluations of Tai Chi instructional quality, especially for Tai Chi beginners.
Conclusions: Applying music to Tai Chi practice may result in positive Tai Chi practice experience and adherence, particularly for beginners, which could help improve the dissemination and implementation of Tai Chi interventions for public health. However, whether applying music to Tai Chi practice leads to synergetic effects on health outcomes needs further investigation.
