While scientists are looking into whether physical activity could lessen Parkinson's disease symptoms or slow down its progression, researchers have discovered that tai chi could help with this.
Parkinson's Disease
Over 10 million people all over the world are affected by Parkinson's disease. The neurological disorder's primary symptoms involve issues and changes with movement. These may include gait changes, tremors, problems with coordination, and impairments with balance.
The condition typically affects the nervous system and nerve-controlled body parts. Symptoms tend to gradually show. The first symptom could be a barely noticeable hand tremor.
Earlier studies have seen that physical activity could prolong mobility and slow down the progression of the disease.
Now, researchers are looking into how tai chi, which is a Chinese martial arts practice, could slow down the disease's progression and lower the required medication doses.
Chinese Martial Arts 'Tai Chi' Could Slow Down Progression, Lessen Required Treatment Doses
As part of this study, the team of Dr. Shengi Chen, principal investigator and distinguished professor in the Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology at Ruijin Hospital in the School of Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, monitored two different groups of people who had the condition for over five years.
One group, comprising 143 participants, tried out tai chi twice a week through a martial arts class. The second group, comprising 187 participants, went on with standard medical care without engaging in tai chi. These groups were not randomized. They were recruited via Ruijin Hospital's Movement Disorder Clinic.
The participants' disease severity was checked when the study started. The progression of the disease, including medication increases, were monitored for five years.
The researchers observed that across all monitoring points, the progression of the disease was slower for the tai chi group. They observed this by assessing general symptoms, balance, and movement in comparison to the control group.
On top of this, the number of participants who required medication increases over the years were remarkably lower in the experimental tai chi group in the 2019 and 2020 follow-up. However, this was not the case in the 2021 follow up. For the control group, the increase of levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD) was remarkably higher in each point of follow up.
In 2021, the control group was taking over double the dose. For the tai chi group, it was observed that the deterioration of cognitive function was slower while quality of life and sleep improved.
Dr. Chen explains that the long-term benefits of tai chi came as a surprise to them, as there is no study that looked into how sports affected Parkinson's disease in the long run. Dr. Chen adds that doctors should stress the importance of engaging in physical activity, especially those activities that could hamper the need to increase medications.
It is important to note, however, that the study covered early-stage patients whose postural instability was not severe. Hence, for late-stage patients, it is important to exercise caution with tai chi as these patients might end up falling.
The researchers plan to look into tai chi applications in late-stage and prodromal Parkinson's disease.
Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.
