Tai Chi Tuesday: Benefits for COPD Patients

Medical science continues to catch up with ancient Asian practices: preliminary medical studies in China recognize the value of Tai Chi for patents diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

At the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 40 patients were divided into a Tai Chi group and a control group. Participants in the control group received only routine care, while participants in the Tai Chi group received routine care and completed a six-month Tai Chi exercise program.

After six months, patients in the Tai Chi group had significantly increased lung function and diaphragm strength. This is a preliminary study (The Effect of Tai Chi on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Pilot Randomised Study of Lung Function, Exercise Capacity and Diaphragm Strength, by R. Niu, R. He, B.L. Luo and C. Hu). Further studies are needed, of course — but such preliminary studies ring true for martial artist practitioners.

Click here to read the study abstract.