Introduction: Depression is the second leading cause of disability in elderlies only after physical causes that reduces social activities, impairs cognitive functioning and reduces quality of life. Today regular exercise is a well-established modality in modern medicine and it is the first line consideration in the field of lifestyle modification for prevention and management of chronic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tai Chi Chuan exercises on depression in elderly women.

Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test with control group design. Sixty elderly retired women, members of national Iranian oil company, participated in the study based on eligibility criteria. Subjects were chosen through purposive sampling and assigned randomly to intervention and control groups. Intervention consisted of 24 sessions of Tai Chi Chuan for 8 weeks (3 times a week). Data collection instruments were a demographic questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).The data were analyzed using inferential statistic tests (Fisher's exact test, chi square, t-test and paired t-test) in SPSS version 19 software.

Results: Before the intervention, the mean score of depression was 10/34 in experimental group and 10/38 in control group and this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0/668). After the intervention the mean score of depression reduced to 6/72 in experimental group and 10/09 in control group. Analysis of covariance confirmed that this significant reduction in depression levels was due to Tai Chi Chuan exercises (p< 0/001).

Conclusion: The results showed that Tai Chi Chuan exercise reduced depression levels in the elderly women. Therefore, it is suggested that Tai Chi Chuan as one form of safe and cost effective complementary medicine should be used more commonly for promoting mental health profile of the elders.