Tai Chi Chuan Helps Heart, Arthritis, Motor Function

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Tai Chi Chuan Helps Heart, Arthritis, Motor Function

 

Clinical Trials Show How

Tai Chi Chuan Helps Heart, Arthritis, Motor Function

by Bill Gallagher PT, MS, CMT, CYT, East West Rehabilitation Institute

 

http://www.byregion.net/articles-healers/TaiChi_Research.html

 

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan, T'ai Ch'i) is commonly categorized by rehab

practitioners as a complementary or alternative therapy. To some, the

labels alternative and complementary mean that it is not proven

effective. Furthermore, Tai Chi Chuan is an exercise developed and

perpetuated by Taoist physician/martial artists who speak in terms

of vital energy or " Qi " flow, scientifically ambiguous terms,

difficult for some to accept. However, the use of Tai Chi Chuan for

wellness and rehabilitation is well supported by scientific

research. The following is just a small sampling of clinical trials

published in scientific journals that demonstrate the benefits of

Tai Chi Chuan.

 

Cardiovascular Wellness

 

Tai Chi Chuan is an excellent way to train the cardiovascular

system. Lan from National Taiwan University published a series of

studies in this area. In one study, he completed a cross-sectional

survey demonstrating a significant difference in VO2 max (maximum

oxygen uptake- a key measure of cardiovascular fitness) between long-

time practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan and a control group of non-

exercisers.1 Lan re-measured VO2 max two years later in a follow-up

study. In this prospective study he found that Tai Chi Chuan

practitioners had less of a decrease in VO2 max over time.2

These two studies suggest that Tai Chi Chuan can slow down the

deterioration of the cardiovascular system. The same group designed a

prospective study of 38 elderly non-exercisers.3 Half were taught

Tai Chi Chuan and the other half served as controls. They found that

VO2 max increased for those that learned the Tai Chi Chuan form.

This data supports the conclusion that practicing Tai Chi Chuan

benefits the cardiovascular system.

 

Tai Chi can be both a preventive and restorative therapy for the

cardiovascular system. In a prospective study of 126 patients,

Channer compared Tai Chi Chuan, aerobics and no treatment after

heart attack. He found that diastolic blood pressure went down in

the Tai Chi Chuan group but not in the other groups.4

 

A recent study by Lan also examined subjects after coronary artery

bypass surgery during cardiac rehab.5 This prospective study compared

cardiovascular health in nine patients who participated in Tai Chi

Chuan versus 11 control patients who completed an orthodox home

exercise program. They found higher adherence to the exercise

program, and significant improvements in VO2 peak, and peak work

rate in the Tai Chi Chuan group. In contrast, the control group

subjects declined in all measures, and were less adherent to the

orthodox cardiac exercise program.

 

 

One of the strengths of Tai Chi Chuan is that it can deliver an

excellent cardiovascular challenge without exposing the joints to

the possibility of injury inherent to high impact activities. This

is especially important for elders. Past studies have demonstrated

that elderly people can reach 50 percent to 70 percent of their

target heart rate during practice of Tai Chi Chuan.3 Moreover, it

has been shown to give a moderate cardiovascular workout.6 For the

younger population, Tai Chi Chuan can easily be adapted

to be more taxing on the cardiovascular system by taking deeper

stances, holding challenging positions longer and playing " push

hands, " a two-person exercise that helps develop sensitivity and

power.

 

Arthritis

 

It seems obvious that Tai Chi Chuan would be an excellent exercise

for people with arthritis. Other exercise regimens, like swimming or

biking, prescribed for people with arthritis avoid or minimize

impact. The advantage of Tai Chi Chuan is that it is very low-impact

exercise and performed in functional, weight bearing positions. It

appears to strengthen bones and connective tissue and, as already

discussed, also seems to benefit the cardiovascular system without

exacerbating arthritic symptoms. Two papers have demonstrated that

people with rheumatoid arthritis can safely practice Tai Chi Chuan

without exacerbating symptoms. Kirsteins divided 40 patients in two

groups: 20 controls and 20 who participated in Tai Chi Chuan. He

found that Tai Chi caused no significant exacerbation of joint

symptoms. He concluded that Tai Chi Chuan could serve as an integral

part of their rehabilitation program.7 In a second randomized

prospective study, 16 patients who participated in a Tai Chi

Chuan program were found to have greater upper extremity range of

motion than the control group who did not participate in any

exercise program.8

 

Motor Control Research

 

One area just beginning to be explored is Tai Chi Chuan's effect on

motor

control. Jin Yan at the University of Houston examined the effect of

Tai

Chi on the task of force output while performing arm movements. In

this

study, he compared linear and curvilinear manual aiming movements

between

participants of Tai Chi Chuan as an exercise (n=12) and a group who

walked

or jogged (n=8), and found the Tai Chi Chuan group moved with

significantly less pressure variability than the control group.9

 

Yan hypothesized that Tai Chi Chuan is a whole body activity that

improves

integration of the sensory and motor systems, thereby training the

student

to optimize motor control. Since the movements are slow and smooth

and

require remembering a set sequence, the participants have time to

process

sensorimotor information into a full body movement. Although this is

the

only paper known to the authors examining motor control, it is

clearly

an

area that holds promise.

 

Falls and Balance

 

A review of Tai Chi Chuan and research would not be complete without

discussion of the FICSIT study (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative

Studies

of Intervention Techniques). There were more than 2,000 participants

in

the study sites from eight cities. This study compared the effect of

interventions like strength training, endurance training and orthodox

balance training to Tai Chi Chuan. The key finding was that the Tai

Chi

Chuan group reduced their risk of falling by 47.5 percent. In

addition

to

reducing falls, psychological benefits were also seen. The Tai Chi

Chuan

group reported less fear of falling and more self-confidence.

 

Conclusion

 

Tai Chi Chuan is a physically and mentally challenging exercise. This

article has reviewed only ten of the hundreds articles evaluating

Tai

Chi

in the scientific literature. Evidence of benefits achieved using

Tai

Chi

Chuan as therapeutic exercise is clear. It is strengthened by a

collection

of research that broadens and deepens each year. Tai Chi has

demonstrated

usefulness in treating cardiac conditions, arthritis and balance

disorders. Beyond that, it appears to be very useful for wellness,

fall

prevention and motor control. Lastly, in almost all of the research,

compliance results are higher in the group that practiced Tai Chi

Chuan.

Beyond being a healthy, restorative exercise, it is also more likely

to

be

practiced at home than conventional therapeutic exercise. When a

skeptic

asks, " Why learn Tai Chi Chuan to? " you can now cite scientific

literature

demonstrating that Tai Chi Chuan is as beneficial as your intuition

suggests it is.

 

References

 

1. Lan, C., Lai, J., & Wong, M. (1996). Cardiorespiratory function,

flexibility, and body composition among geriatric Tai Chi Chuan

practitioners. Archives of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation, 77,

612-616.

 

2. Lai, J., Lan, C., Wong, M., & Teng, J. (1995). Two-year trends in

cardiorespiratory function among older Tai Chi Chuan practitioners

and

sedentary subjects. Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 43,

1222-1227.

 

3. Lan, C., Lai, J., Chen, S., & Wong, M. (1998). Twelve-month Tai

Chi

training in the elderly: Its effect on health fitness. Medical

Science

and

Sports Exercise, 30(3), 345-351.

 

4. Channer, K.S., Barrow, D., Barrow, R., Osborne, M., & Ives, G.

(1996).

Changes in hemodynamic parameters following Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic

exercise in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction.

Postgraduate Medical Journal, 72(848), 349-351.

 

5. Lan, C., Chen, S., & Wong, M. (1999). The effect of Tai Chi on

cardiorespiratory function in patients with coronary artery bypass

surgery. Medical Science and Sports Exercise, 31(5), 634-638.

 

6. Zhuo, D., Shephard, R., Plyley, M., & Davis, G. (1984).

Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during Tai Chi Chuan

exercise.

Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Science, 9(1), 7-10.

 

7. Kirsteins, A., Dietz, F., & Hwang, S. (1991). Evaluating the

safety

and

potential use of a weight-bearing exercise Tai Chi Chuan for

rheumatoid

arthritis patients. American Journal of Physical and Medical

Rehabilitation, 70(3), 136-141.

 

8. Deusen, J., . (1987). The efficacy of the ROM dance program for

adults

with rheumatoid arthritis. American Journal of Occupational Therapy,

41(2), 90-95.

 

9. Yan, J. (1999). Tai Chi practice reduces movement force

variability

for

seniors. Journal of Gerontology, 54(12), M629-M634.

 

10. Province, M., & Hornbrook, M., . (1995). The effects of exercise

on

falls in elderly patients: A preplanned meta-analysis of the FICSIT

trials. JAMA, 273(17), 1341-1347.

 

Bill Gallagher PT, CMT, CYT, is Director of the East West

Rehabilitation

Institute in New York City. He has developed a uniquely integrative

approach to help people suffering from pain and disability. By

integrating

the Physical Therapy traditions of the East (Yoga, Qigong, Taijiquan,

Tuina) with cutting edge therapies of the West (Osteopathy,

Biofeedback,

Myofascial Release), Bill helps his clients maximize function &

minimize

pain. Through meditation instruction, guided imagery, biofeedback &

other

disciplines that work with the Mind-Body-Spirit, clients are further

empowered to optimize function & comfort while reducing suffering.

Bill

is

recognized as an authority on Integrative/Mind Body/Complementary

rehabilitation & teaches his visionary synthesis to both practicing

rehab

specialists & at several Physical Therapy schools including Columbia

University.

Visit his website at http://www.EastWestRehab.com

email BillGPT

or call (212) 781-2626.