| Objective: To evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on motor function, balance, gait and self reported health status in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: Thirty-eight patients with PD were randomly assigned to either Tai Chi group or control group (n=19 each). Both groups were administered with basic drug therapy of neurology. Besides, the patients in Tai Chi group participated in 1-h long training session everyday within 3 months. To evaluate motor function in all patients before and after treatment, UPDRS III, Berg Balance Scale, 15 ft walk test and 6-min walk test were assessed. Self-reported health status was also observed before and 3 months after treatment. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ, ranging 0-3, 3 = worst), visual analogue scales (VAS, ranging 0-100 mm) for fatigue, muscle pain and fear of falling were assessed. Results: UPDRS III scores of two groups were significantly reduced after treatment for three months (P<0.05), and there was a more obvious reduction in Tai Chi group than in control group. Berg Balance Scale of two groups was significantly increased after treatment for three months, and the improvement in Tai Chi group was more remarkable than in control group. The scores of the 15-ft walk test and 6-min walk test of two groups were reduced after treatment for three months, but there was no significant difference between two groups. HAQ and VAS for fatigue, muscle pain, and fear of falling score of two groups were also reduced after treatment, but no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. Conclusion:Tai Chi can improve motor function in patients with mild to moderate PD, and it is an effective method to improve their movement disorder and living ability. But more long follow-up studies are needed to confirm the effect of Tai Chi on PD. |
