Patients often ask if there anything can be done to treat
Alzheimer’s disease. We have already reviewed that non-traditional therapies,
like Reiki,
Acupuncture,
or Chakra
Meditation may actually help with freezing, and sometimes preventing, the
Alzheimer’s Disease in people with high risk of the condition development. The
new research has also demonstrated that Tai Chi and Qi Gong can also help in
lowering the risk of the Alzheimer’s development with characteristic symptoms.
Qi Gong and Tai Chi are traditional Chinese exercises
that improve circulation and energy flow through the meridians. Acupuncture can
be used to stimulate circulation of energy in the meridians and doing Tai Qi is
like giving yourself acupuncture to all your acupuncture points!
The latest research shows that Tai Chi can increase the
brain size. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published the article recently
and released the findings of Professor James Mortimer of the University of
South Florida. What is interesting about the research is that walking as an
exercise when compared to Tai Chi does not increase brain size though it does
slow down the rate of digression.
Research also shows that Tai Chi can improve the memory
whereas walking does not. Tai Chi also improved verbal fluency, hearing ability
and improved concentration and attention span.
There is no effective Western medical treatment for
Alzheimer’s disease. Tai Chi can be taken up by nearly anyone of any health
status and age group.
Another recent study at the Institute for Brain Aging and
Dementia, University of California, suggests that practicing Tai Chi and Qi
Gong may promote brain plasticity and stimulate neurogenesis. This can be considered
as a trigger, activating molecular and cellular cascades that support and
maintain brain plasticity. Significantly, these effects occur in the
hippocampus, a brain region central to learning and memory.
While research shows substantial prevention capabilities,
Tai Chi and Qi Gong were proven to provide an effective group exercise for
people who already have dementia, which can be practiced either standing or
seated. It is an integrated mind-body practice which can be suitable for all
levels of dementia when presented by an instructor who is sensitive to the
particular abilities of each individual.
A joint study of the Occupational Therapy Department at
Cornhill and Alzheimer Scotland created study group and performed detailed
investigation on the positive impact of the Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises for
elderly patients on early stages of the Alzheimer’s development. The findings
of the Cornhill study indicated that this program of movements could help to
maintain and even improve bi-lateral co-ordination, proprioception,
concentration, spatial awareness and skilled movement. It was also noted that a
sense of self awareness, confidence, relaxation and social skills were
enhanced.
The principle of central equilibrium (Zhong Ding) is
employed to aid balance and to teach folk not to reach too far out of their
base, thus helping also to prevent falls. Intent (Yi) can be significant in the
practice of the moves as each posture and weight change requires concentration
and focus. The use of mental focus enhances kinaesthetic sense, the ability to
sense muscular movement and position. Specific Internal Arts training sets
concentrate on the three planes of movement, which may link into the vestibular
system. Qigong also develops spatial awareness and proprioception, the internal
sense of awareness of parts of the body and their relative position in space.
Observed improvements from Qigong come not only from the
physical exercises but also because people who have a diagnosis of dementia can
discover an enhanced sense of personal freedom. With this realization and
growing confidence often comes a sense of fun! Conversation and memories start
to flow and it becomes abundantly clear that our essential Spirit (Shen)
remains with us always.
Awareness of the breath, opening and closing the joints,
moving in alignment with the energy channels all promote concentration, balance
and mindfulness. These are skills that we as practitioners aspire to
incorporate in every move. But do we engage fully? There is long list of
benefits to be gained from practicing Qigong and Tai Chi with people who have
dementia.
The similar results were obtained from the new study
performed in the University of Illinois.
“Most of the research on dementia and most of the dollars
up until this point have gone into pharmacological interventions,” said Sandy
Burgener, a professor of nursing at the University of Illinois and lead author
on the study. “But we have evidence now from studies like mine that show that
other approaches can make a difference in the way people live and can possibly
also impact their cognitive function.”
In the study, 24 people with early stage dementia
participated in an intensive 40-week program. The intervention included
biweekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups, along
with three sessions per week of traditional Chinese martial arts exercises and
meditation, Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
A comparison group of people with early stage dementia
did not participate in these programs for the first 20 weeks of the
intervention.
Researchers are discovering that multidiscliplinary
approaches – those that address patients’ physical, mental and psychological
dimensions – show the most promise in treating people with dementia, Burgener
said.
Participants in the program benefited in a variety of
ways. After 20 weeks, those in the treatment group improved in several measures
of physical function, including balance and lower leg strength, while those in
the comparison group did not. There were also positive cognitive and
psychological effects, Burgener said.
“We saw gains in self-esteem in the treatment group and
pretty severe declines in self-esteem in the comparison group,” she said. “Those
in the treatment group also had sustained and slightly improved mental status
scores, which meant we were impacting cognitive function.”
Both groups saw increases in depression, Burgener said,
but the increase for those in the treatment group was a fraction of that seen
in the comparison group.
Main Health
Benefits and Effects of Qi Gong and Tai Chi
1. Improve the motion of blood, warm the blood and
enhance the whole body circulation.
2. Stimulate appetite, enhance sexual function,
assimilation of nutrients and digestion.
3. Accelerate metabolism, promote weight loss, increase
oxygen uptake rates, lower body fat percentages, and improve quality of sleep.
4. Bolster the Immune System by reducing cortisol, a
known inhibitor of cytokine production.
5. Develop, reflex, and prevent Osteoporosis in clinical
studies.
6. Open arteries allowing greater brain-based
microcirculation to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
7. Enhance mental acuity, focus, concentration, and
balance. The Qi draws focus and trains the mind.
8. Help us to calm down, relax and become more peaceful.
Address anxiety and depression natural way.
9. Activate immune system response and enhance endocrine functions.
Sources and
Additional Information:
