Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the association of two diseases: chronic bronchitis (which is characterized by a permanent or recurrent fatty cough, which occurs at least three months a year, for at least two consecutive years) and pulmonary emphysema (a destruction of the pulmonary alveoli linked to a narrowing of the large bronchi, small bronchi and finally terminal bronchioles).
In France, between 800,000 people and 1 million people are affected by COPD; in Western countries, it is the third leading cause of death.
Mainly linked to smoking, this pathology is the subject of several treatments: bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and (at more advanced stages of the disease) aerosol therapy, oxygen therapy or even non-invasive assisted ventilation.
COPD, a disease mainly linked to smoking
Regular practice of tai chi could significantly improve respiratory function in patients with COPD, according to a new study conducted by the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease (in China).
The researchers worked with 120 Chinese volunteers with COPD. For 12 weeks, the volunteers benefited from tai chi lessons for 5 hours per week. At the end of the observation period, the scientists observed an improvement in respiratory symptoms. Concretely: the patients breathed less easily on a daily basis.
“Our work shows that tai chi is as effective as pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with respiratory disorders linked to COPD” explain the researchers, who published their work in the specialist journal Chest.
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