Gait & Posture
Volume 28, Issue 3 , Pages 456-460, October 2008

Tai Chi improves balance and mobility in people with Parkinson disease

  • Madeleine E. Hackney

      Affiliations

    • Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
    • ,
  • Gammon M. Earhart

      Affiliations

    • Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
    • Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
    • Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8502, 4444 Forest Park Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States. Tel.: +1 314 286 1425.

Received 27 November 2007; received in revised form 14 February 2008; accepted 16 February 2008. published online 01 April 2008.

Abstract 

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.

Keywords: Parkinson disease, Balance, Tai Chi

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PII: S0966-6362(08)00064-7

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.02.005

Gait & Posture
Volume 28, Issue 3 , Pages 456-460, October 2008

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