Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) have become a major health problem affecting people of all ages and socioeconomic status worldwide. In 2013, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported almost 50,000 TBI related deaths; 282,000 TBI related hospitalizations; and 2.8 million TBI related ER visits. TBI caused by motor vehicle accidents are most common in children and young adults. In older adults, the most common cause of TBI is fall related. Interestingly, men suffer TBI twice as often as women.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Tai Chi Chuan, was found to be beneficial for patients with TBI. Research indicates that Tai Chi is more gentle, puts less strain on the body, and is lower impact than other forms of exercise, making it an effective therapy for those with TBI and reduced mobility.
An article published in the August 2020 issue of The Brain Health journal, indicated that Tai Chi increased “global cognitive and executive functioning” more significantly than computerized cognitive training. Six months later, the increase in functioning continued to be significant.
After TBI, the visual system, vestibular system, and sensory system may not be in sync. The result is vertigo and/or dizziness. Tai Chi helps calibrate the integration of the three systems. Tai Chi also improves focus, concentration, motor planning and sequencing, and memory. For these reasons, Tai Chi is often considered a “full brain activity”.
Traumatic, battle-related brain injuries in veterans have frequently been mild. Symptoms often exhibited are headache, cognitive deficits, memory loss, changes in personality, vestibular disorders, communication issues, sleep disturbances, and tinnitus. Veterans were recruited for a small 2013 study on the effects of Qigong on Mild Traumatic Brain injury. Upon completion of the study, the participants stated that Qigong enabled them to control their symptoms. They were also able to decrease reliance on medications. All felt that Qigong was a good fit for the “disciplined mindset of military service members”. Interestingly, the participants believed that because of their decreased balance, cognition, and memory, Qigong was a better fit than Tai Chi or Yoga.
A 2009 randomized controlled study published in Clinical Rehabilitation, on individuals with TBI compared Qigong with a control group. The Qigong group exhibited better improvement in mood and self-esteem than the control group.
A study in 2006 in New Zealand looked at the effect of Tai Chi Chuan on individuals with TBI. The researchers determined that Tai Chi was effective in decreasing symptoms in patients with TBI.
A small, short-term study was performed and published in Brain Injury in October 2005 investigating the effects of Tai Chi on individuals with TBI. When compared with the control group, Tai Chi showed significant improvement in sadness, confusion, anger, tension and fear. They also exhibited more energy and increased happiness.
Unfortunately, all of these studies were relatively small. Without exception,Tai Chi did show immediate short term benefits, especially on mood. However, longer and larger-scale studies are recommended. In future studies, attention should be paid to physical, cognitive, behavioral, neurological, and psycho-social issues. It is also very important that the researchers understand Tai Chi and are able to capture and assess vital information. It is also extremely important that qualified Tai Chi instructors be utilized in the studies both for design and instruction.
As you might expect, it is difficult to design a study using Tai Chi and/or Qigong due to the different forms and exercises utilized. Skill and experience of the instructors is difficult to compare. In addition, patients with TBI symptoms also add another level of complexity to studies.
However, one thing that is perfectly clear: there are numerous benefits and reasons for individuals with (or without) TBI to practice Tai Chi and/or Qigong as part of their rehabilitation and/or quality of life!
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