September 25, 2003 – The practice of Tai Chi chih1, a westernized form of Tai Ji Quan, is said to significantly boost the immune system, say researchers in California.
Thirty-six people over the age of 60 were recruited to participate in this study. All had suffered from chickenpox before, but none had previously suffered from shingles (a skin disease that occurs when the chickenpox virus, taking advantage of a weakened immune system, reactivates).
Half of the subjects received 15 weeks of Tai Chi chih training, while the other half served as a control group. At the end of this period, the researchers found in the bodies of participants who had done Tai Chi chih 50% more immune cells that specifically attack the chickenpox virus.
The benefits of Tai Chi chih weren’t limited to the immune system, either. Thus, participants who had difficulty, for example, walking or using the stairs also saw their lot improve. In this case, the researchers say that the improvements brought about by Tai Chi chih were as great, if not greater, than those normally associated with surgical replacement of the hip or a heart valve.
The scientists however recall the small number of subjects studied and stress that it is not impossible that the noted improvements result from the placebo effect.
The results of this study are published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
From Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Medscape and HealthDayNews; September 25, 2003.
1. NOTE: Tai Chi chih is described as a “high” form of Tai Ji Quan. It was created in 1974 by the American Justin Stone, and consists of 19 simple movements and one position. www.taichichih.org
