Pilot study finds suggests tai chi benefits individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

David Bendall — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:09:15 +0000

Researchers at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston conducted a pilot study of twenty individuals with functional class I or II rheumatoid arthritis. Half of the individuals were randomly assigned to tai chi and half to an attention control group. Both groups met twice per week for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks there was a statistically significant difference in the number of individuals who achieved an American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response, with 5 of the 10 individuals assigned to the tai chi group achieving it compared to none in the control group. An ACR 20 response indicates that there has been a 20% improvement in a well-accepted set of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as tender and swollen joints, pain, etc.

The tai chi group also had statistically significant improvements in measures of disability, vitality and depression. There were also signs of improvements in disease activity, functional capacity and health-related quality of life. The results of this study suggest that tai chi may be a safe and effective complementary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Study finds decrease in pain and fatigue among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis after 12 weeks of tai chi.

David Bendall — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:16:10 +0000

Researchers at Daejeon University in Korea studied the benefits of tai chi for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. 32 patients assigned to the tai chi group practiced tai chi for 50 minutes a week for 12 weeks while 29 patients assigned to a control group did not. Pain and fatigue significantly decreased in the tai chi group while balance increased.

Abstract

Tai Chi Research » Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pilot study finds suggests tai chi benefits individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Study finds decrease in pain and fatigue among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis after 12 weeks of tai chi.