Harnessing the art of balance: Examining the effects of Tai Chi on creativity among art and design students

The current study investigated the effects of an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) intervention on creativity of art and design students in terms of divergent and convergent thinking skills. Divergent thinking was assessed using Guilford Alternate Uses Task (fluency, flexibility, and originality), while convergent thought was assessed with the Remote Association Test, focusing on targeted problem-solving skills. Participants were randomly assigned to TCC practice (n = 58) and control (n = 57) groups and creativity was assessed in pre- and post-intervention settings. Data were then analysed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Time effects across outcomes were substantial (χ2 = 3.874–20.274, p < 0.05). However, group × time interactions were found to be significant for flexibility (χ2 = 7.056, p = 0.008) and originality (χ2 = 17.23, p < 0.001), not fluency or convergent thinking (p > 0.05). The post hoc analyses pointed to selective effects on divergent thinking dimensions of the intervention set. Such results suggested that TCC effects on creativity may be selective, hinting that the mind–body intervention could facilitate cognitive strategies for more flexible and innovative thinking. This difference emphasizes the need to match intervention properties to the cognitive processes underlying different aspects of creativity.