November 16, 2010 – The practice of tai chi would decrease pain and improve the general well-being of people with arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis …), according to American researchers1.
The trial was conducted with 354 patients suffering from various arthritic diseases. Half of the participants followed tai chi initiation courses for 8 weeks with 2 weekly sessions. The others (control group) continued with usual medical treatments while waiting to follow the same tai chi program after the study was completed.
The results indicate that, compared to participants in the control group, those in the active group experienced less pain and fatigue after the 8 weeks of tai chi practice and suffered less joint stiffness. The authors state that at the end of the study, the tai chi practitioners also reported greater general well-being and demonstrated a better sense of balance than the patients in the control group.
It should be noted that during this clinical trial, patients with very reduced mobility could practice tai chi in a sitting position and they reaped just as many benefits.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
1. Callahan L, Shreffler J, et al. Tai Chi relieves arthritis pain, improves reach, balance, well-being. University of North Carolina School of Medicine, United States, November 2010. [Présentation lors du congrès scientifique annuel de l’American College of Rheumatology à Atlanta, le 8 novembre 2010]. Study to be published.
