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Scientific evidences for health effects of Taichi
health
Clinical Evidence of Tai Chi Exercise Prescriptions: A Systematic Review
Tai Chi exercise has been widely regarded as an effective method for health promotion, adjuvant treatment for chronic diseases, and a form of rehabilitation therapy during the recovery period from diseases. In this systematic review, the effects of Tai Chi on improving health-related parameters in both healthy populations and diseased populations were examined comprehensively. A total of 139 RCTs were included in this systematic review; 44 studies focused on the effects of Tai Chi on the physical function, cognitive function, quality of life, balance ability, and psychological indicators in healthy middle-aged and elderly people and the effects of Tai Chi in preventing falls. Besides, 95 studies focused on the effects of Tai Chi on different diseases.
Tai Chi exercise prescription is a feasible and effective method for preventing diseases and promoting health.
Tai Chi for Residential Patients with Schizophrenia on Movement Coordination, Negative Symptoms, and Functioning
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the detrimental manifestations of schizophrenia are amendable by lifestyle modification like regularly practicing Tai-chi. Results lent evidence that Tai-chi can help protect against deteriorations in movement coordination after 6 weeks of Tai-chi. With regular weekly practice, it also buffered against a decline in interpersonal functioning which was sustained even 6 weeks after the class.
The Effects of Tai Chi on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Tai chi can effectively affect the management of blood glucose and HbA1c in type-2 DM patients. Long-term adherence to Tai chi has a better role in reducing blood glucose and HbA1c levels in type-2 DM patients.
Improvement of balance control ability and flexibility in the elderly Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners
In conclusion, TCC practice was beneficial to improve the balance control ability and flexibility of older adults. More studies were required to verify the results of this study.
Tai chi chuan in medicine and health promotion
Tai Chi is a Chinese traditional conditioning exercise that integrated breathing exercise into body movements. This literature paper reveals that Tai Chi has benefits in health promotion and has potential role as an alternative therapy in neurological, rheumatological, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary diseases. There are several reasons to recommend Tai Chi as an exercise program for healthy people and patients with chronic diseases. First, Tai Chi does not need special facility or expensive equipment, and it can be practiced anytime and anywhere. Second, Tai Chi is effective in enhancing aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and balance and in improving cardiovascular risk factors. Third, Tai Chi is a low-cost, low- technology exercise, and it can be easily implemented in the community. It is concluded that Tai Chi is effective in promoting health, and it can be prescribed as an alternative exercise program for patients with certain chronic diseases.
The effectiveness of Tai Chi for short-term cognitive function improvement in the early stages of dementia in the elderly
A total of nine studies were reviewed including six randomized controlled trials, two non-randomized controlled trials, and one non-randomized prospective study. The studies suggest Tai Chi has impacts on global cognitive functions, visuospatial skills, semantic memory, verbal learning/memory, and self-perception of memory. The effects of Tai Chi on overall cognition for people with mild cognitive impairment are comparable to those in control groups which engaged in exercise.
Comparison between Tai Chi and Balance-Strength Training Exercise to Decrease Fear of Fall and Improving Balance and Functional Mobility in Elderly
There were significant reduction in fear of fall and improvement in balance & functional Mobility in both the groups after 8 weeks of intervention. Tai Chi group had better effect as compare to the Balance-Strength training group in reducing fear of fall & improving Functional Mobility.
Adapted Tai Chi Enhances Upper Limb Motor Control in Chronic Stroke Patients
Eleven participants completed the 8-week study. Participants with varying profiles including severely impaired upper limb, poor balance, shoulder pain, and severe spasticity, were able to practice an adapted version of Tai Chi. They attended all 16 sessions and practiced Tai Chi at home more than recommended. Participants demonstrated significant improvement over time in the FMA-UL (p=0.009), WMFT functional scale (p=0.003), WMFT performance time (p=0.048) and MAL Amount of Use scale (p=0.02). Moreover, participants confirmed the usefulness and ease of practicing the adapted Tai Chi.
Beneficial effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on musculoskeletal system
This study revealed that regular TCC exercise may have an association with higher BMD and better neuromuscular function in early postmenopausal women.
Mechanism of Pain Relief through Tai Chi and Qigong
The medical community in the past has dismissed as anecdotal any effectiveness Tai Chi and Qigong might have as a treatment for pain relief. However, there is now growing evidence that a healthy lifestyle including regular cardiovascular exercise, good nutrition, and stress relieving activities such as Tai Chi and Qigong does work, and works very effectively for decreasing pain.
It may even be that Tai Chi and Qigong work better than some medication and other treatments, with fewer negative side effects. Furthermore, the research indicates that pain relief through the natural manufacture of endorphins is a long term treatment that does not require escalating doses, but rather a lifestyle change that enables a constant therapeutic level of endorphins (as long as the activities continue to be practiced).
Tai Chi effects on neuropsychological, emotional, and physical functioning following cancer treatment: A pilot study
As a pilot study, this research was intended to provide initial data that might stimulate future studies on the potential benefits of TC to cognitive functioning among cancer survivors.
Tai Chi is a promising exercise option for patients with coronary heart disease declining cardiac rehabilitation
This community sample of patients with coronary heart disease declining enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation, a 6‐month tai chi program was safe and improved PA, weight, and quality of life compared with a 3‐month intervention. Tai chi could be an effective option to improve PA in this high‐risk population.
Tai Chi for posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic musculoskeletal pain
Tai Chi is an acceptable, holistic treatment to individuals with musculoskeletal pain and posttraumatic stress disorder. It may reduce pain, improve emotion, memory, and physical function.
A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia
Tai chi may be a useful treatment for fibromyalgia and merits long-term study in larger study populations. There was a single-blind, randomized trial of classic Yang-style tai chi as compared with a control intervention consisting of wellness education and stretching for the treatment of fibromyalgia
Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Physical Function and Parent-child Relationship in Adults and Children
Tai Chi may be an effective exercise in promoting muscle strength and cardio-respiratory function in middle-aged adults as well as children. Although no significant change was observed in parent-child relationship after intervention, mutuality was found declined during the control period, suggesting the possible beneficial effect of parentchild Tai Chi training on mutuality.
Tai Chi on psychological well-being
Physical activity and exercise appear to improve psychological health. However, the quantitative effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being have rarely been examined. We systematically reviewed the effects of Tai Chi on stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance in eastern and western populations.
Effects of Tai Chi on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise that has been widely practiced in the People's Republic of China for many centuries. This exercise has also been applied as a training modality in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The findings of this review suggest that Tai Chi may improve exercise capacity and HRQoL in COPD patients. Tai Chi can be recommended as a safe and effective alternative training modality in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. However, considering the limited quantities and low methodological quality of the included studies
Efficacy of Tai Chi on Pain, Stiffness and Function in Patients with Osteoarthritis
Our results showed that 12-week TC is effective at reducing pain and stiffness and improving physical function in patients with knee OA. Subgroup analyses suggested that 8–10 weeks of short-term TC can significantly improve pain and physical function, and 18–24 weeks of TC improves physical function. Theoretically, TC could be more effective over the long-term, but the positive effects of 12-week TC were not sustained after 6–12 weeks duration, which is consistent with previous findings
The Impact of Tai Chi on Motor Function, Balance, and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease adversely affects function and quality of life, leading to increased mortality. The practice of Tai Chi has been associated with multifaceted improvements in health-related fitness. Considering the limited number of clinical studies included in previous reviews, inconsistent methodological quality, and inconclusive results, this meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of Tai Chi in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The Effect of Tai Chi Practice on Attenuating Bone Mineral Density Loss
The study findings of the present meta-analysis suggest that a long-term (at least 24 week) Taichi training may be an effective intervention to attenuate BMD loss (lumbar spine, proximal femur neck and trochanter) in special population (e.g., perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, older adults, breast cancer survivor, women with osteoarthritis).
Seated form of Tai Chi might boost stroke recovery
A seated form of a traditional martial art can help stroke survivors regain strength and balance and help relieve depression symptoms as well as or better than standard post-stroke exercise programs, according to a study from China.
Changes in muscle strength, endurance, and reaction of the lower extremities with Tai Chi intervention
Some cross-sectional studies have shown that TC practitioners have better balance and proprioceptive function, muscle strength and endurance, and muscular reaction of lower extremities than their sedentary counterparts or regular jogging and walking enthusiasts
How Tai Chi improves balance: Biomechanics of recovery to a walking slip in impaired seniors
Tai Chi training significantly enhanced balance responses by more efficacious use of mechanisms controlling stepping strategies of the swing leg. COM A/P path significantly increased after TC implying improved ability to tolerate unsteadiness. COM-COP A/P separation angle at RHS increased suggesting a longer step and increased mechanical loading at the hip.
A randomized controlled trial: Preoperative home-based combined Tai Chi and Strength Training to improve balance and aerobic capacity in patients with Total Hip Arthroplasty
The 12-week TCST program have good adherence, and can effectively improve balance and aerobic capacity status in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis, while this training can not effectively alleviate the pain and improve hip motion of patients. Hence, further THA is necessary to solve the problems.
The effect of Tai Chi in elderly individuals with sarcopenia and frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Our results demonstrated that patients with frailty or sarcopenia who practiced Tai Chi exhibited improved physical performance in the 30-second chair stand test, the Timed up and go test, number of falls and fear of falling. However, there was no difference in muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, or Short Physical Performance Battery score between the Tai Chi and control groups.
The effectiveness of 10-Tai Chi movements in patients with ankylosing spondylitis receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy
Tai Chi should be considered for inclusion in rehabilitation programs as a safe alternative type of exercise to reduce disease activity, improve spinal mobility and quality of life in patients with AS.
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