Tai Chi Improves Mental Health in Elderly

			Welcome
English

Health

A review of medical studies gave the thumbs-up on to Tai Chi as a way of improving mental health in the elderly, but does not confirm other claims made for the Chinese martial art.
British and South Korean researchers looked at 35 assessments of Tai Chi found in English-language, Chinese and Korean databases.

There was "convincingly positive" evidence that, among the elderly, practicing Tai Chi helped sense of balance and boosted psychological well-being.

However, the sport "seems to be ineffective" for treating the symptoms of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, the authors said.

The evidence was contradictory as to whether tai chi improved high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle strength, osteoporosis and other conditions.

Many studies were flawed because they had a poor design or were at high risk of bias. For instance, they enrolled only small numbers of volunteers or lacked an adequate "control" group to ensure a fair comparison.

The overview was conducted by Myeong Soo Lee of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine in Daejeon, and Edzard Ernst of the University of Exeter, southwestern England.

It appears in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, published by the British Medical Association (BMA).
Tai Chi entails regular practice of deep breathing and relaxation techniques, combined with slow and gentle movements.

It is based on tenets in Confucian and Buddhist philosophies that there are two opposing life forces, yin and yang, which govern health.

Ill health results from an imbalance in these forces, but it can be corrected by Tai Chi, according to these beliefs.(AFP)

Beirut, 17 May 11, 14:10


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

;Cultured People Happier, Less Stressed

;Court Says Widow Can Use Dead Husband's Sperm

;Australia Rules Out Total Smoking Ban

;Paralyzed Man Freely Moves After Getting Implant

;Diet Booster Wards off Pregnancy Syndrome

;Yoga Helps Breast Cancer Patients

;Study Shows Immigrants Eat US Junk Food to Fit in

;Tai Chi Improves Mental Health in Elderly

;Study Shows Video Gaming Teens Sleep Less

;Ebola Virus Case Reported Near Uganda's Capital

;The Nose Knows: Allergy Season Here With Vengeance

;Study Says Early drug Therapy Curbs HIV Transmission

;New Birth Control Methods Urged for Developing World Women

;Order of Nurses Discusses with Lebanon's First Lady its Activities and Future Projects

;U.S. Researchers Identify First Human Lung Stem Cell

;Alarming Combo: Bedbugs With 'Superbug' Germ Found


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Lebanon
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views