Tai Chi has been described as an ancient Chinese form of exercise that connects the mind and body through self paced exercise. Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance, flexibility and increase muscular strength.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine followed 195 patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. Patients were divided into three groups. After six months, those who practiced Tai Chi twice a week were noted to be stronger and have better balance than the other two groups who participated in resistance training or stretching .In fact the Tai Chi participants were noted to have four times better balance than the stretching group and twice as good balance as the resistance training group.
Another study from China recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry reported similar results. Their patients were followed for three and a half years. One group of 143 patients with early stage Parkinson's disease practiced Tai Chi for at least 60 minutes twice a week. The other group had 187 patients who did not practice Tai Chi and who did not exercise more than 50 minutes a week.
The authors reported that the Tai Chi participants were observed to have a reduced rate of annual changes of deterioration from Parkinson's disease as compared to the other non Tai Chi group. Also the Tai Chi practicers required significantly lower doses of levodopa, a medication often prescribed for Parkinson's disease.
The authors therefore concluded that practicing Tai Chi for 60 minutes twice a week produced longterm beneficial effects for those with early Parkinson's disease.
One author has stated that presently, exercise is the only known treatment which limits the progression of Parkinson's disease. Some other forms of low impact exercise include dancing, swimming, table tennis, yoga and of course walking.Tai Chi has been called a moving meditation. It promotes balance and attention to detail through mindful movement.
Tai Chi classes are available here in Aiken. Shag dance guru Johnny Turner has been teaching classes at First Presbyterian Church several times a week for quite a few years. The type of physical activity needs to be tailored to the individual and Tai Chi is a low impact form of exercise that should be considered by those with Parkinson"s disease as it helps to improve balance and motor control.
Thanks to my neighbor Dennis for loaning me his book titled The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. Read the book, watch You Tube instruction ,or take some classes here in Aiken. Tai Chi does not require a lot of equipment ,can be practiced indoors at home and has significant health benefits for everyone.
