01 April 2008
Madeleine
E. Hackney, Gammon M. Earhart
This pilot study examines the effects of Tai Chi on balance, gait and
mobility in people with Parkinson disease (PD).
Thirty-three people with
PD were randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi group or a control group.
The Tai Chi group participated in 20 1-h long training sessions
completed within 10–13 weeks; whereas, the control group had two testing
sessions between 10 and 13 weeks apart without interposed training. The
Tai Chi group improved more than the control group on the Berg Balance
Scale, UPDRS, Timed Up and Go, tandem stance test, six-minute walk, and
backward walking. Neither group improved in forward walking or the one
leg stance test. All Tai Chi participants reported satisfaction with the
program and improvements in well-being.
Tai Chi appears to be an
appropriate, safe and effective form of exercise for some individuals
with mild–moderately severe PD.
