China: A news study has found that tai chi, a Chinese martial art, can help slow down the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for several years.
According to researchers, the patients who practiced tai chi twice a week had fewer complications and a better quality of life than those who didn’t.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that leads to tremors and slow movement, and currently, there is no known cure.
The study, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, analysed the health of hundreds of Parkinson’s patients for up to five years. Among these, one group of 147 people practiced regular tai chi, while another group of 187 did not.
The traditional martial art of China includes slow, gentle movements with deep breathing and relaxation. According to the charity Parkinson’s UK, tai chi is a low-intensity physical activity that can “help to lift your mood and help you live well.”
The researchers found that the disease progressed more slowly in the tai chi group after assessing symptoms, movement, and balance. Furthermore, this group saw fewer falls, less back pain, and less dizziness, with memory and concentration problems also lower than in the other group. Additionally, sleep and quality of life have continuously improved.
In the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, Dr. Gen Li and co-authors noted that their study shows “that tai chi retains the long-term beneficial effect on Parkinson’s disease”.
According to the authors, tai chi could be used to manage Parkinson’s on a long-term basis and prolong quality of life while still helping to keep patients active.
The researchers further remarked that the study is relatively small and could not prove that tai chi was the reason for the positive outcomes experienced by one group.
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