Tai Chi Treats Lung Disease COPD - Says Australia Lung Foundation.
Evidence-Based Tai Chi Treatment
Australian Aging Agenda, 8/16/2012
A new study from the University of Sydney, hailed as one of the most comprehensive and conclusive studies of its kind, suggests that Sun-style of Tai Chi is not only a valid but an incredibly effective form of exercise therapy for people with COPD, which improves a person's capacity to improve exercise capacity and quality of life.
Recently published in the European Respiratory Journal, the research has also found that the more gentle brand of Tai Chi may be as beneficial as the traditional exercise of standard pulmonary rehabilitation. . . .
According to Australian Lung Foundation figures, the treatment could help an overwhelming percentage of people with COPD, as only about one per cent of the population with the disease currently have access to pulmonary rehabilitation.
Read entire article at:
http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2012/08/16/article/Evidence-based-Tai-Chi-treatment/NXBNDAAAZL
Also at:
Study finds tai chi helps people with lung disease
Shanghai Daily, 8/15/2012
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/National/2012/08/15/Study%2Bfinds%
2Btai%2Bchi%2Bhelps%2Bpeople%2Bwith%2Blung%2Bdisease/
Harvard Health Publication on Tai Chi for COPD
COPD. Conventional pulmonary rehab. programs focus on aerobic exercise and strength training to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and symptoms in patients with COPD. Tai Chi extends the breathing techniques taught in pulmonary rehab. by integrating novel elements, such as progressive relaxation, imagery/visualization, mindfulness of breathing and overall body sensations, postural training, and coordinated patterns of breathing and movement. These additional therapeutic elements make Tai Chi an effective adjunct to conventional rehabilitation.
Studies: A Harvard study showed that after 12 weeks the Tai Chi group felt significant improvement in chronic respiratory symptoms compared to the usual COPD care group. The Tai Chi group also had slight improvements in their six-minute walking distance, depression, and shortness of breath. Harvard is following up with a larger NIH funded study to compare a Tai Chi group to other meditative techniques, as well as to a non-exercise education program.
A larger Hong Kong study found a Tai Chi Qigong group improved key measures of respiratory function and participated in higher levels of activity when compared to a walking plus breathing exercise or usual care group. The Tai Chi group also reported greater improvements in respiratory health-related quality of life.
Research shows that Tai Chi-like exercises, including Qigong, may help sustain the gains COPD patients make after completing pulmonary rehabilitation, which often is lost after about six months. (Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi, pages 176 to 178.)
Read more at Harvard Health Publications ...