Seated form of tai chi might boost stroke recovery

By ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News

TommL/E+ via Getty Images
(TommL/E+ via Getty Images)

A seated form of a traditional martial art can help stroke survivors regain strength and balance and help relieve depression symptoms as well as or better than standard post-stroke exercise programs, according to a new study from China.

The study's authors said it was the first randomized controlled trial to analyze the ability of a modified tai chi program to help stroke survivors recover. The research appeared Thursday in the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ journal .

Tai chi combines deep breathing with a series of slow, careful movements of the hands, arms, neck, legs and core. about activity and exercise for stroke survivors highlights tai chi and yoga as flexibility and muscle strength training programs that can improve balance, quality of life and mental health while reducing the fear of falling.

"Tai chi has a long history as a form of exercise in China," lead study author Jie Zhao said in a news release. Zhao is a lecturer at Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Yunnan province in southwestern China. "We revised the tai chi movements for people who have weakness or partial limb paralysis. It is tailored so that participants can move one arm with the help of the healthy arm."

It can be done in a chair or wheelchair at home, Zhao said. "The program costs almost nothing to practice, and it doesn't require any special equipment or travel time."

recommend beginning a rehabilitation program within the first week and sticking with it for up to six months. Many people fail to do so because they lack physical stability or are unable to move their arms.

In this study, conducted at two hospitals in Kunming, China, 160 adult stroke survivors were assigned to sitting tai chi or a standard stroke rehab exercise program within six months of their first stroke. The standard program included a series of upper limb movements recommended by the hospital. Participants in both groups, whose average age was 63, had the use of at least one arm.

The sitting tai chi group received one week of individualized training with an instructor and a self-guided video for use at home three times a week for 11 weeks. Those in the standard exercise program were given the self-guided video to use at home for 12 weeks. In both groups, family members and caregivers supervised at-home exercises.

At the end of three months, those in the sitting tai chi group had better hand and arm function and sitting balance control, significant reductions in depression symptoms and better shoulder range of motion compared to people in the standard exercise group. They also showed greater improvements in daily living activities and quality of life. More than half the people who practiced sitting tai chi continued to do so after 12 weeks and continued to see improvements for up to four more weeks.

"My follow-up study will measure the long-term effects of sitting tai chi," Zhao said. "People will most likely need to adhere to the sitting tai chi exercise beyond 12 weeks to get the beneficial long-term effects."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News Stories

ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News stories reflect the official position of the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific journals or presented at ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.