Reality About Qi, Qigong and Tai Chi: 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Some Modern Scientific Theories of Qi

1. Introduction

Recent scientific discoveries, such as, the theories of strings and subtle energy, can be used to model Qi. Some physical and biological manifestations accompanying Qi in the body, such as, infra-red radiation will be presented in later parts. Finally, effects of external Qi projection on animate and inanimate matter will be discussed.

2. Quantum Field Theory

Quantum field theory was originally created to describe the creation and annihilation of light, because creation and annihilation operations are intrinsically incorporated in each quantum field. Later, it was used to describe the creation and annihilation of sound, electrons and other substances.

The smallest particle of sound energy is called a phonon, which is described in quantum field theory. The idea of the phonon is extremely powerful, and goes beyond our daily understanding of sound. It is essential for the establishment of the field of solid-state physics, which is the basis of semiconductors, transistors and computer chips. For example, the energy of phonons accounts for most of the heat energy of a solid. The warmth of a solid is due to the flow of phonons inside the solid. The interaction of phonons with electrons at low temperature is instrumental to bring about superconductivity as first shown in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory more than 40 years ago.

We cannot see the oscillation of air molecules, but when sound hits our eardrum, we hear the sound. Sound has energy, and carries a type of message to the ear. Sensitive patients can feel Qi moving along the meridians.

Using the analogy between Qi energy and the energy produced by sound vibration, Lo (1) proposed calling the smallest particle of Qi energy a qion. The qion is like a phonon and can be described by quantum field theory. Qions produce oscillations of polarized media in the meridians, which according to Lo are most likely made up of stable water clusters with permanent electric dipole moments. We cannot see the propagation of Qi with our eyes, but when Qi reaches the problem area, infrared image techniques can be used to detect it.

If this theory is correct, coherent infrared radiation should be detected, or even more speculatively, the existence of superconductivity in some state of a human being. Further, in Physics, energy is conserved quantitatively. If Qi is defined in a narrow and precise manner as oscillation on the system of meridians, branches and capillaries, it can be quantified and measurable with detectors. Qi, then, has a strict meaning with precise consequences in that it will be calculated, predicted, and measured by a variety of future instruments. The principle of these instruments is well- known, and used extensively in physics. They need to be modified to apply to human beings. When such instruments are invented and used, Chinese medicine will become more rigorous.

3. String Theory

Many models are possible for any phenomena. The criterion for judging a model is its usefulness for a particular task. For example, a dressmaker’s dummy is suitable for fitting dresses. However, it is useless as a crash-test dummy or to construct an artificial hand.

Zhang Zai (1020-1077) said that the Great Void consists of Qi. Qi condenses to become the myriad of things. Thus, to model Qi, taking Zhang Zai’s assertion into account, requires that the model of Qi can show that all objects in the physical world can be formed from Qi. Lo’s theory of Qi, in Section 2, may prove useful for certain branches of Chinese medicine, like acupuncture. However, it is not the basis of everything. String Theory, discussed below, is a better model.

The name atom comes from the Greek word ἄτομος (atomos) meaning something that cannot be divided further. The concept of an atom as an indivisible component of matter was first proposed by early Greek and Indian scientists. Chemists in the 17th and 18th centuries provided a physical basis for this idea by showing that certain substances (elements) could not be further broken down by chemical means. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, physicists discovered subatomic components and structure inside the atom, demonstrating that the atom was not indivisible. For example, Rutherford showed that the atom was composed of a nucleus and orbiting electrons. Later physicists showed that the nucleus was composed of neutrons and protons.

An elementary particle or fundamental particle is a particle not known to have substructure – that is, composed of smaller particles. An elementary particle is one of the basic building blocks of the universe from which all other particles are made. Until 1932, the “elementary” particles were the electron, proton, and neutron. Using sophisticated particle accelerators more than 200 subatomic particles have been discovered. However, most are not fundamental and are composed of other, simpler particles (2).

The interactions between the particles are ascribed to the exchange of other particles, called “force carriers”. From experiments it is known that there are just four basic forces in nature: electromagnetic, gravitational, weak and strong forces. The last two forces act in the nucleus. The weak nuclear force is responsible for radioactive decay, while the strong force binds protons and neutrons together to make up the nucleus.

The most fundamental theory today that is substantially confirmed by experiment is the “Standard Model” of three interactions: electro-magnetic, weak nuclear and strong nuclear. In this model, particles like electrons, muons, neutrinos and quarks make up matter. They interact via the above forces. The force carriers are other particles, such as photons and the more recently discovered W and Z bosons and gluons.

The Standard Model allows to calculate the rates at which interactions take place. These rates can be measured in an accelerator or other laboratory equipment and compared with the theory. The result of this comparison has been very successful, and has led to several Nobel Prizes in l.

Today, the consensus is that the Standard Model is approximate and incomplete. It does not incorporate gravity. This is believed to be mediated by the exchange of gravitons, and due to problems of mathematical consistency, no one has ever been able to incorporate gravity into the Standard Model. Another problem with this model is that one has to assume the existence of distinct forces and their carriers. Einstein hoped that there would be a “unified” theory in which all known forces would emerge out of a single one in some way.

The discovery of string theory in the 1970’s led to a unified theory. Strings could be closed, like a loop, or open, with two end points. The mathematical equations describing strings allows them to vibrate. Each mode of vibration can be interpreted as a point-like elementary particle, just as the modes of a musical string are perceived as distinct notes.

Some particles, arising as strings’ vibrations are very similar to the known matter particles (electrons, muons, neutrinos and quarks). There are others similar to the known force carriers (photons, W and Z bosons and gluons). There is even one particle similar to the graviton, the force carrier of gravity. Thus, string theory produces the known particles and the right types of interactions among them, as in the Standard Model. The inconsistency, which for decades made it impossible to incorporate gravity into quantum theory, has been resolved in string theory.

String theory suffers from some major problems. A physical object or quantity that is a string has not been discovered. As a theory of quantum gravity, it does not yet make any predictions that are currently subject to experimental verification. Another difficulty is that much of theory is still only formulated as a series of perturbations or approximations rather than as an exact solution. Better resolutions of the 10 or 11 dimensions required in string/M- theory and our 4-dimensional world need to be studied further.

Zhang Zai’s concept of Qi would be satisfied by equating Qi with the energy of strings. Presently, this would not be a good model to account for the property that the Mind can control Qi. There does not seem to be any definitive research, that the Mind can influence strings.

4. The Field and Mind Intention Experiments

The idea of the zero-point field (4) arises out of quantum physics from the uncertainty principle of W. Heisenberg. This principle states that the products of the standard deviations of the position and the momentum of a particle, such as an electron, is greatert than or equal to half of Plank’s constant. Thus, as one of these deviations become small the other must become large. Thus, if a particle was motionless its momentum and positions would both be known precisely and simultaneously, violating the uncertainty principle, since both deviations would be zero..

Adding up all the movement of all the particles of all varieties in the universe, gives a vast inexhaustible energy source in empty space. The idea of a vacuum being simply empty space is no longer valid. If all matter and radiation were extracted from a volume of space, this space is still permeated by the zero-point field with its ceaseless electromagnetic fluctuations. An idea of the magnitude of that power is that the energy in a single cubic yard of ‘empty’ space is enough to boil all the oceans of the world. “Zero-point” refers to the fact that even though this energy is huge, it is the lowest possible energy state. All other energy is over and above the zero-point state.

In (4), the importance of the Zero Point Field is stated to be that all matter in the universe is interconnected by quantum waves which are spread out through time and space, tying one part of the universe to every other part. This idea might be able to offer a scientific explanation for the belief in a life force or Qi.

Some experiments described in (3) and (4) are that one person’s brain waves begin to synchronize with another person’s during ESP; exhaustive studies at Princeton have shown that the human mind can also influence REG machines, built to perform a random electronic toss of the coin, so that we can ‘will’ the machine to produce more heads, say, than tails; human bodies can act as transmitting and receiving antennas; living things demonstrate awareness of the well-being of other living things around them; biofields change when receiving and sending healing intentions; physical health improves when others send focused healing intentions and different forms of meditation produce strikingly different brain waves.

Human beings, on their most fundamental level, are packets of quantum energy constantly exchanging information with the Zero Point Field. However, there seems to be no definitive reasoning showing that the mind can influence small particles or energy in this field, and so large objects

5. Subtle Energy

An eleven dimensional model is used in (6) to describe how the mind can influence the physical world. According to Tiller there are actually two levels of physical reality and not just one. Physical reality is an 8 dimensional space, consisting of ordinary Physical D-Space, with 3 space coordinates and time, and the Conjugate Physical R-Space, consisting of waves described by 4 coordinate wave numbers.

There are two basic kinds of unique substances found in these two levels of physical reality. They appear to interpenetrate each other but, normally, they do not interact with each other, called the uncoupled state of physical reality. In the uncoupled state the normal physical environment can be detected with our five physical senses. But the substance in this normal state of physical reality is not influenced by human intention. The substance in the “new” level of physical reality, R-Space, appears to function in the empty space (zero point field) between the fundamental electric particles that make up our normal electric atoms and molecules. As such, it is currently invisible to us and to our traditional measurement instruments.

The bridge, according to Tiller, is the Deltron. Deltrons are a hypothetical substance which can travel both faster than light and slower than light, and communicate between D and R space. This is of even more interest to us than most particle physics anomalies because Deltrons are, according to this theory, part of the emotional domain. The emotional domain apparently allows human intention to interact with Deltrons, bridging the mind and the physical world. Thus, the concentration of the Deltron and the intensity of human intention must also be specified, which requires 2 more coordinates. Finally, another coordinate is required to specify the intention from the Spirit level. The 11 dimensional model appears in Figure 1.

The model is formulated using complex mathematics which is not easy to understand by the general reader. The theory predicts that successful “psychoenergetic” experiments occur when there is higher electromagnetic gauge symmetry than usual. Human intention can accomplish this feat, according to the theory, and this allows the novel kind of connectivity between humans and objects that is found in all sorts of paranormal phenomena. Tiller’s theory says that human intention can create the conditions for paranormal phenomena because the human subtle energy system (which coincides with the acupuncture meridians and Yogic chakras) actually exists in some sense at the elevated electromagnetic gauge symmetry level.

Tiller invented a device (the IIED) which can measure this critical shift in electromagnetic gauge symmetry and can accept imprints of human intention. The IIED, or “intention imprinting electrical device” is impacted by human intension using deep meditation. This device can then be moved to distant locations and turned on. The activated IIED is permitted to condition a new environment and so affect objects. Tiller has conducted several experiments using the IIED. For example, the pH (or hydrogen ion concentration) in water is affected by this conditioning. The pH can increase or decrease by 1 depending on the intension imprinted on the IIED. Tiller shows that the properly imprinted IIED can influence the activity of the alkaline phosphatase enzyme (ALP) which is a hydrolase responsible for removing phosphates groups from many types of molecules, including, nucleotides, proteins, and alkaloids. Tiller also studies fruit flies; he looks at larval development time, and [ATP]/[ADP] ratios. Again Tiller finds a treatment effects due to IIED, suggesting a direct impact on living organism.

^Tillers model has another interesting consequence. Tiller (7 p. 132) states “Since the reason for inventing string theory was to bypass the mathematical singularity in quantum mechanics and relativity theory so that they could be united, the use of this particular duplex-space reference frame removes the need for string theory when quantum mechanics and relativity theory are mathematically formulated in this particular duplex-space format.”

A critical review of Tiller’s model by Todd Stark appears in Chapter 9 of (6) and the internet (7).

References

1. Lo, S. Y. The Biophysics Basis for Acupuncture and Health, Dragon Eye Press, 2004.

2. http://particleadventure.org/

3. Green, B. The Elegant Universe, W. W. Norton and Co., 2003.

4. McTaggart, L. The Field Updated Ed: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, Harper Paperbacks, 2008.

5. McTaggart, L. The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World, Free Press, 2008.

6. Tiller, W. A. Psychoenergetic Science (Paperback), Pavior, 2007.

7. http://www.entelechyjournal.com/toddstark.html

Some Modern Scientific Scientific Theories of Qi

1. Introduction

2. Quantum Field Theory

3. String Theory

4. The Field and Mind Intention Experiments

5. Subtle Energy

A critical review of Tiller’s model by Todd Stark appears in Chapter 9 of (6) and the internet (7).

References

1. Lo, S. Y. The Biophysics Basis for Acupuncture and Health, Dragon Eye Press, 2004.

2. http://particleadventure.org/

3. Green, B. The Elegant Universe, W. W. Norton and Co., 2003.

4. McTaggart, L. The Field Updated Ed: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, Harper Paperbacks, 2008.

5. McTaggart, L. The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World, Free Press, 2008.

6. Tiller, W. A. Psychoenergetic Science (Paperback), Pavior, 2007.

7. http://www.entelechyjournal.com/toddstark.html

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Are You Really Studying Tai Chi and is it Effective for Stress?

1. What is Classical Tai Chi (Taiji)?
Only the Yang style will be discussed. However, similar types of training were used in other classical styles (Chen, Wu and Sun), since these were also internal forms of Kung Fu for health and self defense. These styles have also been altered and shortened.
The original (old) Yang Tai Chi form was devised by Yang Lu-Chan (1799 – 1872) and consisted of about 128 postures, not counting repetitions. It had both fast and slow movements in it. One of the purposes of the fast movements was to teach fa-jing, small, explosive movements to generate tremendous power in punches, kicks, etc., for self defense. The (new) long form, practiced by most Yang stylists today, was derived from the Yang Lo – Sim form by Yang Cheng – Fu (1883 – 1936). He removed the fast fa-jing moves, all leaping kicks and made slightly different moves the same. It has about 108 postures. To learn the original form properly took about 5 or 6 years.
Each move in the old form not only showed how to strike acupoints, but the proper direction for striking them, with devastating results. This could result in death of an adversary and was known as Dim Mak.
However, learning the form was not enough for combat and so the following two-person exercises are practiced to learn how to attack and counter. Martial Push Hands (Toi Sau), consisting of countering punches, strikes, kicks, locks and throws (Chin Na). This is not the same as the modern, popular push hands, whose purpose is to push the opponent off-balance. Chi Sau (sticky hands) are also practiced, as well as Pushing Feet, in which only the feet are used to attack and defend. These exercises are mainly to train the student to combat single attacks.
More complex exercises are used for continuous attacks, such as Da Lu (the Great Repulse) and Small San Sau (Free Hands). These exercises only use a small number of the techniques from the old form.
Students then learn Pauchui (Cannon Fist), the remaining movements from the old form, done powerfully rapidly. Puchui consists of two different formulas, a fixed sequence of moves, which are practiced alone. Later, one student does one formula, while his opponent does the other so that they can practice a sequence of attacks and counters (Large San Sau) without stopping between techniques. At first, they practice slowly and then, gradually faster, with full power. Later, the techniques are applied randomly, leading to free sparring. Usually the Large San Sau is not taught until a student has practiced for at least four years.
Weapons, such as the sword, spear, are also taught as solo forms and then, two-person sparring exercises.
There are several associated medical and health aspects in Tai Chi connected with the old solo form associated martial training exercises. There is a natural, biorhythmic Qi flow in the body every 24 hours, known as the Horary Cycle. In the Horary Cycle, the Qi makes its way through the meridians with its associated organ so that there is a two-hour period during which it is at maximum energy. The order of flow and the maximum energy time periods are:
Lung (3-5 AM) → Large Intestines (5-7 AM) → Stomach (7-9 AM) → Spleen (9-11 AM) → Heart (11AM – 1PM) → Small Intestines (1-3 PM) → Bladder (3-5 PM) → Kidney (5-7 PM )→ Pericardium (7-9 PM) → Triple Energizer ( 9-11 PM ) → Gallbladder ( 11PM – 1AM) → Liver (1 – 3 AM) → Lung …..
Performing the old Yang form causes your Qi to flow through the Horary Cycle 3 times, energizing the body and helping balance your Qi flow. In addition, each posture in the Yang form can be practiced alone as a Qigong exercise to treat various conditions in the body –for example, holding the single whip posture is beneficial to the joints. In addition, greater difficulty than normal in doing a certain posture can be used to diagnose diseases.
Most people cannot learn to relax sufficiently by only doing the solo form. Practicing the two-person exercises is required. In addition, practicing the San Sau form can energize the practitioners if the acupoints are struck lightly.
In classical Tai Chi, the goal was not to just to make students warriors, but also healers. Dim Mak is not studied just for self defense to injure people. Techniques for resuscitating attackers and treating accidental practice injuries must also be learned. Moreover, the same Dim Mak technique, when done gently and with a healing mind –set can be used to treat diseases.

Chin Na in Tai Chi

Auxiliary Qigong training, which includes holding postures, is also an integral part of training. This helps students increase their internal energy, learn to feel Qi, helps relaxation, rooting, and projecting Qi. External Qi healing is also taught.
Classical Tai Chi takes years of dedicated study. It is very difficult to learn in modern times because of many distractions. To teach Tai Chi to the masses, several different shorter versions of the new, long, Yang Ching – Po have been devised such as: the Beijing 24 movement version, Chen Man-ching 37 movement form, the 42 movement competition form developed by the Chinese National Wushu Association, and a 48 movement Yang style version by the Chinese National Athletic Association. There is even a fast set version developed by Master Dong Ying-jie.
Practicing the old Yang style probably has more health benefits than practicing a modern, shorter version simply because there are more varied movements in the old form. It is unlikely that the short form causes the Qi to flow 3 times through the Horary Cycle, because different movements influence the Qi flow in different ways and many movements are omitted. There are also many principals for doing the postures correctly. In some modern, shorter versions, these principals are not obeyed. Even if the student is taught the principals and has them memorized, it takes years before they can be performed correctly.
Tai Chi research is usually not done on all parts classical Tai Chi as described above, but only some shortened version or even a few postures from some solo form. The results should really be entitled the effects of trying to learn Tai Chi, since the research is usually carried out for months and not years. Beginning students are not doing real Tai Chi and so using a control group that danced or walked might give similar results as doing Tai Chi (9). Further studies, using a walking control group as in (21), should be done.
The Chinese medical health benefits, such as the Horary Cycle effect and postures used as Qigong, have been passed on from Master to student without explanation or justification in terms of traditional Chinese medical theory. Clinical trials have not been carried out to justify all of these claims.
2. Is Tai Chi a Form of Qigong?
The movements in the solo Tai Chi form cause the Qi to circulate. A Tai Chi expert can feel the Qi circulate and after years of practice the circulation of Qi produces the movements. Thus, Tai Chi can be considered to be a form of Qigong according to the Qi definition of Qigong (1).
Even some beginners claim to feel Qi or some of its manifestations. However, often this is just the result of muscle tension restricting blood flow and brainwashing by the instructor. Initially, because beginners must concentrate on the postures and principals, their minds are too preoccupied to feel Qi. Electrical sensations in the back, legs and arms, may be an indication of multiple sclerosis (MS) and not an indication of Qi flow in vital energy channels (2). “The common form of Lhermitte’s sign, which occurs in about a third of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, consists of a feeling of an electric current moving down the back to the legs on flexion of the neck. The spread of the sensation is usually downwards, terminating either at the lower end of the spine or passing down both legs. However, all four limbs may be affected or less frequently the arms alone. Even in the absence of any other symptoms or signs, Lhermitte’s sign is a strong indication of MS. In our patient electrical sensation compatible with Lhermitte’s sign occurred during bow stance (cervical extension) and push hand practicing (flexion). These positions represent the classical postures of flexion or extension that are associated with Lhermitte’s sign. They evoke, due to mechanical deformation of the cord impulses in demyelinated, sensory fibers.”
The first definition of Qigong is not suitable for research, since the exact nature of Qi is unknown. However, Tai Chi is a self-training technique or process that integrates the body posture, breathing, and mentality into oneness to achieve the optimal state for both body and mind. Thus, Tai Chi is a form of Qigong according to the second definition in (1).
3. Tai Chi for Relieving Stress
Sandlund and Norlander (3) reviewed more than 20 studies published from 1996to 1999 on the effects of Tai Chi on stress response and well-being and concluded that, although the slow-movement Tai Chi may not achieve aerobic fitness, it could enhance flexibility and overall psychological well-being. Tai Chi exercises led to an improvement of mood. The researchers concluded that all studies on the benefits of Tai Chi have revealed positive results and that Tai Chi was an effective way to reduce stress.
Wang, Collet, and Lau (4) reviewed general health outcomes of Tai Chi. Among the six studies they reviewed with psychological measures, five reported positive or significant effects of Tai Chi on reducing stress and anxiety. However, biases existed in some of the studies, and it was difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported. Therefore, more well-designed studies are needed in the future.
The review (5) states that the majority of studies on Tai Chi conducted between 1996 and 2004 had focused on health and well being of Tai Chi exercise for senior adults. The results show that Tai Chi may lead to improved balance, reduced fear of falling, increased strength, increased functional mobility, greater flexibility, and increased psychological well-being, sleep enhancement for sleep disturbed elderly individuals, and increased cardio functioning.
Jin (7) conducted one of the first studies to examine the effects of Tai Chi (new long Yang and Wu forms) on the endocrine system. Changes in psychological and physiological functioning following participation in Tai Chi were assessed for 33 beginners (8 months or less experience) and 33 practitioners (more than a year’s experience). The variables in the three-way factorial design were experience (beginners vs. practitioners), time (morning vs. afternoon vs. evening), and phase (before Tai Chi vs. during Tai Chi vs. after Tai Chi). Phase was a repeated measures variable. Relative to measures taken beforehand, practice of Tai Chi raised heart rate, increased noradrenaline excretion in urine, and decreased salivary cortisol concentration. Relative to baseline levels, subjects reported less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and state-anxiety, they felt more vigorous, and in general they had less total mood disturbance.
Heart rate for practitioners was higher than that for beginners. Jin attributes this effect to the lower stance and more controlled form of experienced practitioners.
The data suggest that Tai Chi results in gains that are comparable to those found with moderate exercise. There is need for research concerned with whether participation in Tai Chi has effects over and above those associated with physical exercise. A later paper by Jin (9) investigated this query.
The study (9) compares the stress-reducing attributes of Tai Chi to those of brisk walking, meditation, and sitting and reading. There was no difference in the magnitude of cortisol reduction between the Tai Chi group and the other three groups. Hence, an additive effect of the physical exercise component and the cognitive exercise component in the practice of Tai Chi is not evident.
4. Tai Chi for Stress-related Symptoms
Control of Hypertension
In Wang et al.’s recent review (4) of Tai Chi, four studies (two with randomized control) were discussed in terms of its effects on hypertension, and all of them reported that it significantly decreased blood pressure among hypertensive patients.
The results in (11) suggest that light activity and moderate intensity aerobic exercise have similar effects on BP in previously sedentary elderly individuals. If future trials with large sample size and a no-exercise control group confirm these results, promoting light intensity activity could have substantial public health benefits as a means to reduce BP.
This study (13) examined the effects of Tai Chi vs. aerobic exercise for victims of heart attacks, comparing them to a cardiac support group as control. Resting heart rate declined in the Tai Chi group, but curiously, not in the aerobics group in this study. Both the Tai Chi and aerobics groups showed a drop on systolic blood pressure, but only the Tai Chi group showed a drop in diastolic blood pressure.
Improvement of Cardiovascular Conditions
Wang et al. (4) reviewed 16 studies of Tai Chi in patients with cardiorespiratory conditions and reported that its regular practice will delay the decline of cardiorespiratory function in older adults and might be prescribed as a suitable exercise.
One of the few studies to focus on serious Tai Chi practitioners, mostly people in their 60′s, who had been practicing the new Yang Long form for 3-10 years, appears in (10). They practiced 3-7 times a week, with an average frequency of 5 times a week. A fairly rigorous practice: 20 minutes of warm-up exercises, 24 minutes of practicing the form paced by the Master, and 10 minutes of cool-down. This study compares these Tai Chi practitioners to a group of sedentary peers matched for age and body size, and looks at cardiorespiratory declines over a two-year period. It has some heart rate profiles that seem to indicate moderate aerobic benefit in older practitioners (this benefit has not been demonstrated in younger subjects).
In (12), changes in heart rate and electrocardiogram were recorded by telemetry in 100 volunteers who were regularly doing a Yang simplified (short) form. During the exercise, the change in heart rate was not very marked and no important electrocardiographic changes were recorded. Thus, it was speculated that the possible beneficial effect of Tai chi on the cardiovascular system cannot be attributed solely to the amount of exercise provided by Tai Chi and additional mechanisms must be sought. The author notes that “16 male and 10 female hypertensives reported a gradual normalization in blood pressure cutting the need for medication entirely or reducing the doses.”
The study (18) concluded that Tai Chi was a culturally appropriate mind-body exercise for older adults with cardiovascular risk disease factors. Statistically significant psychosocial benefits were observed over 12-weeks. Further research examining Tai Chi exercise using a randomized clinical trial design with an attention-control group may reduce potential confounding effects, while exploring potential mechanisms underlying the relaxation response associated with mind-body exercise. In addition, future studies with people with other chronic illnesses in all ethnic groups are recommended to determine if similar benefits can be achieved. The authors were unaware of an earlier study (19) on the beneficial effects of Tai chi for dialysis patients.
This research (21) compared the effects of a short style of Tai Chi versus a brisk walking training program on aerobic capacity, heart rate variability (HRV), strength, flexibility, balance. They found Tai Chi to be an effective way to improve many fitness measures in elderly women over a 3-month period It was also significantly better than brisk walking in enhancing certain measures of fitness, including lower extremity strength, balance and flexibility, psychological status, and quality of life.
Twenty patients with coronary heart disease were recruited for the study (28). Ten patients practiced supervised Tai Chi training once a week and home-based Tai Chi training three times a week, together with conventional cardiac rehabilitation for one year. The control group only received the conventional cardiac rehabilitation. The patients in the Tai Chi group showed statistically significant improvement in baroreflex sensitivity. The researchers concluded that Tai Chi training is beneficial in the treatment of coronary heart disease.
Reduction of Chronic Pain Syndrome and Arthritis Symptoms
Pain and fatigue significantly decreased in the experimental group in (14). However, the improvement in daily life performance of the rheumatoid arthritis patients was not statistically significant but their sense of balance was enhanced significantly.
Sun-style Tai Chi exercise (6) was found as beneficial for women with osteoarthritis to reduce their perceived arthritic symptoms and to healthier behavior.
In the short term study (15), the beneficial outcomes for Tai Chi group and aquatic group were significantly better than the self-help group. Tai Chi may be more suitable than aquatic exercise for osteoarthritis. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm these results. Similar conclusions were reached in another study (16) comparing Tai Chi and an aquatic group for rheumatoid arthritis.
The results (17) suggest Tai Chi does not exacerbate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, Tai Chi has statistically significant benefits on lower extremity range of motion, in particular ankle range of motion, for people with RA. The included studies did not assess the effects on patient-reported pain.
The objective of this systematic review (25) is to evaluate data from controlled clinical trials testing the effectiveness of Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, Pubmed, AMED, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 1, the UK National Research Register and ClinicalTrials.gov, Korean medical databases, Qigong and Energy Medicine Database and Chinese databases up to January 2007.
Collectively this evidence is not convincing enough to suggest that Tai Chi is an effective treatment for RA. The value of Tai Chi for this indication therefore remains unproven.
Reduction of Anxiety and Depression
In (20), significant improvements in trait anxiety, pain perception, mood, flexibility, and balance were obtained. These may have a profound effect on the incidence of falls, injuries, resulting disability, and overall quality of life.
The study (22) aimed to assess the usefulness of two interventions in a group rehabilitation medicine setting and to determine strategies and exercise guidelines for long-term care of the HIV/AIDS population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It concluded that that Tai Chi and exercise improve physiologic parameters, functional outcomes, and quality of life. Group intervention provides a socialization context for management of chronic HIV disease. Further long and short term studies are required.
The effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, and anxiety status on subjects in a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise program were studied (23). It concluded that Tai Chi exercise training could decrease blood pressure and results in favorable lipid profile changes and improve subjects’ anxiety status. Therefore, Tai Chi could be used as an alternative modality in treating patients with mild hypertension, with a promising economic effect.
Another paper on the beneficial effect of Tai Chi on depression in older individuals appears in (26).
Immunity
At rest the total number of T-lymphocytes and the number of active T-lymphocytes were increased significantly in the exercise group compared with the controls (8). Immediately after a bout of Tai Chi (88 style), a marked increase of active T-lymphocytes occurred. In conclusion, the results indicate that frequent Tai Chi exercise causes an increase of T-lymphocytes in the blood.
According to a new study (24), Tai Chi may help older adults avoid getting shingles by increasing immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and boosting the immune response to varicella vaccine in older adults. Tai Chi alone was found to increase participants’ immunity to varicella as much as the vaccine typically produces in 30- to 40-year-old adults, and Tai Chi combined with the vaccine produced a significantly higher level of immunity, about a 40 percent increase, over that produced by the vaccine alone. The study further showed that the Tai Chi group’s rate of increase in immunity over the course of the 25-week study was double that of the health education (control) group. The Tai Chi and health education groups’ VCV immunity had been similar when the study began. In addition, the Tai Chi group reported significant improvements in physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality and mental health. Both groups showed significant declines in the severity of depressive symptoms.
Previous studies have suggested that Tai Chi may improve immune function. This
study (27) was intended to examine whether 5 months of moderate Tai Chi and Qigong (TQ) practice could improve the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults. It concluded that traditional TQ practice improves the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults. However, further study is needed to determine whether the enhanced response is sufficient to provide definitive protection from influenza infection.
References
1. Eisen, M., Qigong and Taiji application in stress management. Part 2: Qigong for stress, Qi Dao, Jan. – Feb., 2008.
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