Over the past decade, a lot of medical research been performed to identify the benefits of Tai Chi for health. Numerous benefits have been identified for people of all walks of life, ranging from stress reduction, improved posture, balance, etc. However more exciting still has been the research done into the benefits of Tai Chi for people who suffer from specific health issues, particularly chronic conditions. In this respect, Tai Chi has a lot to offer as a form of integrated therapeutic treatment.
Specifically, an article was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2012) regarding the findings of a trial performed on Parkinson’s patients who practiced Tai Chi. This trial was designed to test whether Tai Chi practice could improve postural control in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. A short program was designed for the 195 trial patients (patients ranged from mild to all but the most severe forms of the condition). Practice was performed over one hour sessions, twice a week for 6 months.
Two other comparison groups were given resistance-training
and stretching (respectively), which are the most common therapeutic treatments
currently offered for Parkinson’s patients. The Tai Chi group performed
consistently better than both the resistance-training and the stretching groups.
The Tai chi group also showed a marked decrease in the incidence of falls. As a
result of these and other findings Tai Chi has begun to see a sudden surge of
interest as a form of Parkinson’s treatment.
Having worked with Parkinson’s patients on a
one-on-one basis previously, I was recently contacted by the Puerto Rico
Parkinson Foundation to offer weekly Tai Chi practice to patients at their
facilities. Though the practice is still in the early stages I’ve been able to
personally observe an improvement in their walking gate and their balance.
Patients with more severe conditions have shown an improvement in their posture
and flexibility, but are still having trouble with fine motor movements both in
their stepping and hand movements.
This last point has given me some concern as more
advanced Tai Chi practice later on will demand greater precision in their
movements. I worry that because they will have additional struggles with their
practice the more severe patients may grow frustrated and give up. For them I
believe that an encouraging atmosphere and positive reinforcement will prove
the best motivator to help them continue their practice so they can derive the full
benefits of the art. Luckily the members of the Foundation are very supportive
of their efforts. Overall I am pleased with their progress and very pleased to
have the opportunity to work with them. They are a wonderful group, always cheerful
and very persevering.
If you are a patient of Parkinson’s, or know someone
who is, the practice of Tai Chi is worth considering as a form of complementary
treatment. Search around and you may find a group near you that can help.
