Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is highly prevalent (1-2% of the world’s population), complex, and progressive. It impacts primarily people in their 60s and 70s, severely impairing the motor role of the body and slowly destroying brain cells. As the cells die, movements may become shaky, stiff, and unbalanced. In addition, problems with thought, behavior, dementia, anxiety, and depression are common as the disease advances. Currently, PD cannot be cured, however, symptoms can be improved.
As we age, reflexes slow, making it more difficult to correct a fall and stay vertical. Postural instability is one of the cardinal symptoms of PD, and one that is less likely to improve with conventional treatment. Interestingly, falling is the number one reason for ER visits for PD patients.
Numerous studies have been conducted to study the effects of Tai Chi on PD.
Johns Hopkins, February 2012: Tai Chi versus resistance training or seated stretching. The Tai Chi group was able to lean further back and forward without stumbling or falling. They were also able to take longer strides, direct their movement, walk more swiftly, stand faster from a seated position, and had increased leg strength. Most startling, they had less than half the number of falls than the other two groups, and adopted strategies resulting in more controlled movement. The impact was felt to be larger than what is seen with medication.
National Institute of Health Study, 2014: A small pilot study compared Tai Chi to a control group. The result was nonstatistical improvement in cognition but significant improvement in the quality of life and emotional well-being according to the Tai Chi group.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, February 2020: A study compared Tai Chi to routine exercises in 500 subjects with early to mild stage PD. The Tai Chi group had greater improvement in timed up-and-go, 50 foot speed walk, and functional reach. Falls decreased in both groups, but more so in the Tai Chi group. 9% of the Tai Chi group were able to stop their levodopa, while others in that group decreased their dosage. Tai Chi promoted various de novo neural pathways, resulting in a fast response to posture challenges. The study concluded Tai Chi improves physical and functional parameters, and has the potential to slow down the progression of PD, as well as delay the introduction to levodopa.
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day founder, Bill Douglas, states that Tai Chi rotates the body in about 95% of the possible ways the human body is capable of rotating, which diminishes the changes of losing the ability to do so. It is one of the most powerful balance and coordination enhancing exercises known.
In addition, Dr. Peter Wayne (PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School) has been studying the impact of Tai Chi and Qigong on motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. Dr. Wayne and his colleagues published a May 2017 meta-analysis in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders showing that Tai Chi improved motor symptoms, balance, and mobility, while reducing the number of falls and depression.
Wayne and his colleagues also received a research award in October 2017 for Task Assessment of the Impact of Tai Chi on Postural Control in Parkinson’s Disease, a study supported by the Davis Phinney Foundation. After six months of Tai Chi, subjects’ performance improved on a dual task test (working on a cognitive challenge while also doing a physical activity), a finding that emphasizes the link between mind and body.
While Dr. Wayne used a variety of Tai Chi and Qigong styles for his research, keep in mind that the principles are the same, no matter which style. If you are looking for a class, be sure you review the suggestions in my Finding the Right Tai Chi Instructor blog. A competent, knowledgeable Tai Chi instructor should be able to adapt and tailor Tai Chi and/or Qigong exercise movements to the needs of the individual.
Don’t give up until you find one that fits!