Parkinson's disease, a progressive degenerative disorder, affects nerve cells in an area of the brain that regulates muscle movement. This causes numerous problems with movement and muscle control. Medication and certain types of exercise can help. Some research shows that tai chi chuan, a form of Chinese martial art commonly called tai chi, can be beneficial for people with this disorder.
Parkinson's Disease
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include trembling, stiffness, slowness of movement and poor balance and coordination. As the disease progresses, the individual might have trouble doing simple activities such as walking, speaking, chewing and swallowing. Parkinson's patients are prone to depression. More than 1 million people in the United States have this disorder, according to an article published in the October 2008 issue of Gait and Posture.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is sometimes called moving meditation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants move slowly and gently in a relaxed manner, while breathing deeply. Tai chi provides low-impact, weight-bearing aerobic exercise that has positive effects on physical condition. It can improve muscle strength, coordination, flexibility and balance. Tai chi relieves pain and stiffness, and decreases the risk of falls in susceptible people. Parkinson's disease can cause falls and fractures, including hip fractures that can be disabling. This is one reason researchers are interested in the benefits of tai chi for Parkinson's, notes the study in Gait and Posture.
Considerations
A review of seven studies that was published in the December 2008 issue of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders evaluated research results on tai chi and Parkinson's disease. One randomized clinical trial found tai chi to be better than conventional exercise in improving symptoms and preventing falls, but another did not find any difference between tai chi participants and people on a waiting list. Other studies had quality problems. The authors concluded that evidence was insufficient to confirm whether tai chi is beneficial for Parkinson's patients, and further research is necessary.
Benefits
One study that found benefits of tai chi for older adults with Parkinson's appeared in the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. The results indicated tai chi might be useful for improving and maintaining physical function in these individuals. A total of 17 participants performed tai chi for 90 minutes per day for five days and experienced significant improvement in three physical performance measures. In exit interviews, all participants expressed positive opinions on appropriateness of the activity, satisfaction and enjoyment, and their intentions to continue tai chi in the future. In the study in Gait and Posture, patients participated in 20 tai chi training sessions for 10 to 13 weeks. They said they experienced improvements in balance, six-minute walk, backward walking and other measurements. All participants reported improvements in well-being.
References
- MedlinePlus: Parkinson's Disease
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Tai Chi
- Parkinsonism and Related Disorders: Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Parkinson's Disease
- PubMed: Tai Chi-Based Exercise for Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease
- PubMed: Tai Chi Improves Balance and Mobility in People with Parkinson Disease
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