What Can Tai Chi Do for You?

There have been many publications about the beneficial effects of tai chi, and this Asian activity is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world.  However, the available studies are sometimes contradictory, leaving uncertainty about the conditions that will respond best to a tai chi program.  A British Journal of Sports Medicine article reviews the published reviews of clinical trials in an attempt to clarify the situation.

English, Chinese and Korean medical databases were searched for relevant articles, and data were extracted from 35 systematic reviews that met relatively strict criteria.  They covered the following conditions: cancer, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease and risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure), osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, poor muscle strength and flexibility, poor aerobic capacity, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, psychological ill-health, risk of falling, and poor balance.

As expected, the conclusions of these reviews were contradictory for most conditions.  Of the 4 reviews that addressed fall prevention, 3 showed positive results, and one was equivocal. Of the 5 reviews addressing psychological ill-health, 4 were positive, and one was equivocal.  Otherwise, the reviews showed no consistent benefit for any other condition.

This ‘review of reviews’ shows fairly convincingly that tai chi is effective for fall prevention and improving psychological health, and was associated with general health benefits for older people.  As one reader has pointed out: “Given the nature of tai chi — which is gentle, rhythmic, and nonspecific — its lack of specific benefit for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions is not surprising.”  But its many advocates among seniors are not to be denied; the socialization involved may perhaps be an important factor.