- By Philippa Roxby
- health reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Tai chi may help delay symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for several years, a Chinese study suggests.
Those who practiced the martial art twice a week had fewer complications and a better quality of life than those who didn’t, researchers say.
Parkinson’s is a progressive brain disease that causes tremors and slow movements, and there is no cure.
Experts say the findings support previous studies on the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s.
The study, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, monitored the health of hundreds of Parkinson’s patients for up to five years.
One group of 147 people practiced tai chi regularly, while another group of 187 did not.
The traditional Chinese exercise combines slow, gentle movements with deep breathing and relaxation.
The charity Parkinson’s UK describes tai chi as a low-intensity physical activity that can “help improve your mood and live well”.
The researchers found that the disease progressed more slowly in the tai chi group on measures of symptoms, movement and balance.
This group also recorded fewer falls, less back pain and dizziness, with memory and concentration problems also lower than the other group.
At the same time, sleep and quality of life have continually improved.
Tai Chi Moves for Beginners
Do it yourself – Charging the moon:
- Inhale, turn your body to the left from the waist
- Your shoulders are relaxed and your elbows are slightly bent
- Now extend both arms to the left with your head focused on your hands
- Exhale, lower your hands. Turn right and repeat
Do it yourself – Twist your waist and push your palms together:
- Inhale, place your palms on your waist facing upwards
- Exhale, turn your body to the left at the waist. Keep your left elbow and wrist slightly bent and pull your elbow back
- At the same time, extend your right arm forward and push with your right palm facing forward (as if you were trying to stop traffic)
- Inhale, return to the middle and distribute your weight evenly before turning to the right, pulling your right arm back and extending your left arm with your palm facing forward.
A previous trial of people with Parkinson’s who practiced tai chi for six months found greater improvements in walking, posture and balance than those who were not on the program.
Writing in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, Dr. Gen Li and co-authors say their study shows “that tai chi maintains long-term beneficial effect in Parkinson’s disease.”
They say tai chi can be used to manage Parkinson’s long-term and prolong quality of life, while also helping to keep patients active.
But they also acknowledge that the study is relatively small and could not prove that tai chi was the reason for the positive results experienced by one group.
‘Positive effects’
Professor K Ray Chaudhuri, professor of movement disorders and neurology at King’s College London, said: “It is too early to claim any neuroprotection based on this study, although the positive effects on aspects of motor and non-motor functions are impressive.”
He said ballet also has similar effects on Parkinson’s.
Professor Alastair Noyce, professor of neurology and neuroepidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, called it “an important study” but said there were limitations to its design and that more trials were needed.
“We already recommend tai chi as well as other forms of exercise, but understanding which forms of exercise are most beneficial is an important goal for improving long-term patient care,” he said.
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