elderly and Tai Chi, qigong medical research

SCROLL DOWN FOR YOGA, MEDITATION, MINDFULNESS

Also see "geriatrics"

Evidence Map of Tai Chi (OLDER ADULTS)
SUMMARY
Tai Chi has been investigated as a treatment for a number of clinical indications and outcomes.  The systematic review of systematic reviews identified 107 Tai Chi systematic reviews. Reviews addressing general health effects, psychological wellbeing, or interventions in older adults included between 31 and 51 Tai Chi RCTs. The topic areas balance, hypertension, falls, quality of life, cognitive performance, and vestibulopathy have also been the focus of research; included reviews identified 10 or more pertinent RCTs per topic. Statistically significant effects pooled across existing studies were reported for hypertension, falls outside of institutions, cognitive performance, osteoarthritis, COPD, pain, balance confidence, depression, and muscle strength.
READ ENTIRE STUDY AT VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL, LOS ANGELES


Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Health Promotion of Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Meta-Analyses (Western University, Canada)
Discussion
Twenty-seven meta-analyses were synthesized in this scoping review with the aim of summarizing the current knowledge of the effectiveness of Tai Chi on health promotion of older adults. “High” and “moderate” quality evidence indicates that practicing Tai Chi can lead to significant improvements in balance, cardiorespiratory fitness (forced vital capacity and peak oxygen uptake), cognition (global cognition and executive function), mobility, proprioception, sleep and strength, as well as significant reductions in the incidence of falls and nonfatal stroke and reduction in stroke risk factors. Additional preliminary evidence from heterogeneous findings includes potential benefits for adults on the following outcomes: body composition, bone mineral density, cardiorespiratory fitness (diastolic and systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and stair test), cardiovascular disease risk factors, cognition (memory function), physical function, and psychological health (anxiety, depression, and stress). One of the meta-analyses included in this scoping review noted that heart rate was significantly higher immediately after practicing Tai Chi, compared to a nonintervention group,40 supporting the belief that Tai Chi offers some level of aerobic training.
READ ENTIRE STUDY AT SAGE JOURNALS: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE


Qigong among older adults: a global review
Conclusion
In conclusion, the existing body of research regarding Qigong and older adults indicate that Qigong may be an effective way of improving health outcomes, including overall quality of life, psychological distress, and pain.
READ ENTIRE STUDY AT O.A.T. OPEN ACCESS TEXT


A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi
Results
Seventy-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The 9 outcome category groupings that emerged were: bone density (n=4), cardiopulmonary effects (n=19), physical function (n=16), falls and related risk factors (n=23), Quality of Life (n=17), self-efficacy (n=8), patient reported outcomes (n=13), psychological symptoms (n=27), and immune function (n=6).
Conclusions
Research has demonstrated consistent, significant results for a number of health benefits in RCTs, evidencing progress toward recognizing the similarity and equivalence of Qigong and Tai Chi.
VISIT NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE for details

A Review of Clinical Trials of Tai Chi and Qigong in Older Adults
Conclusion
SEE BENEFITS OF TAI CHI & QIGONG FOR THE ELDERLY, BROKEN DOWN BY CATAGORIES:
* Balance and Falls
* Physical Function
* Cardiovascular Health
* Psychological Outcomes
* Disease Outcomes
Following this review of the current literature on TC&QG in the older adult population, it appears that participants are impacted from multiple perspectives.
VISIT NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE to see results

Subjective Experiences of Older Adults Practicing Taiji and Qigong
Discussion
We found that although each interviewee had his or her own unique experience of Taiji and Qigong there were strong commonalities among the eight respondents. All began with motivations related to physical problems and concerns, and, all reported significant functional improvement. All also reported experiencing benefits in at least three other dimensions, and all reported integrated mind-body experiences that were, in their own subjective assessments, powerful and unexpected. Ultimately, all of the interviewees felt that these complex integrative experiences were the most important and meaningful outcome of their participation in Taiji. And so as they practiced Taiji and experienced more complex benefits, their motivations to continue shifted accordingly.
VISIT HINDAWI JOURNAL OF AGING for details of study

FIND MUCH MORE RESEARCH AT THE "QIGONG INSTITUTE DATABASE"
Since 1984, collecting breaking medical/science research on Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Mind-Body Education
Click here  for Qigong Institute Database...




YOGA
Yoga for Healthy Aging: Science or Hype?
While everyone should consult their physician before starting a physical regimen, yoga appears to have a wide range of benefits including increased mobility; reduced risk for slip and fall; protection against cognitive decline; increased flexibility, strength, and balance; and improved sleep and mental well-being.

Gupta et al. found that yoga had both immediate and long-term impacts on State and Trait anxiety score [32]. Gururaja and colleagues showed that seniors age 65 to 75 years who participated in 90 minutes of yoga classes once or twice weekly for a month, had significant reductions in state and trait anxiety scores [33].
VISIT NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE  for details of study



MINDFULNESS / MEDITATION
A qualitative study of older adults’ perspectives on initiating exercise and mindfulness practice
Results
Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships.
View details of study by visiting BMC GERIATRICS


Benefits of mindful meditation for older adults—and how to get started
Does meditation help elderly?
Mindful meditation has many potential physical and psychological benefits for older adults, including better focus, enhanced calmness, less stress, and improved sleep. Research shows that mindfulness and meditation can reduce depression and pain, and boost emotional well-being.
View details of study by visiting SENIORS MATTER


* NOTE: World Tai Chi & Qigong Day advises consulting your physician before beginning any new exercise, herbal, diet, or health program. The research listed here is meant to stimulate a discussion between you and your physician, health insurance carrier, etc., not as medical advise. Research and comments provided here are hoped to stimulate a more robust discussion of powerful natural mind/body health tools. Popular media, health media, and government must increase attention to stunning emerging research, including the UCLA study indicating Tai Chi participants enjoyed a 50% increase in immune system resistance to viral infection.

To learn more about tai chi & qigong medical research, see the below book,
"the complete idiot's guide to tai chi & qigong,", and also
"Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi," and
"The way of qigong: the art and science of chinese energy healing."