to achieve a balance of energy in the TCM meridian system. Xin et al.
performed a systematic literature review of qigongintervention studies
published in English or Chinese since 1980 and found that 11 studies were
identified that met their criteria for an association between qigongand the
management of type 2 diabetes.^202 They concluded that the exercise
appeared to have beneficial effects on some of the metabolic risk factors but
that methodological limitations made it difficult to draw firm conclusions
about the benefits recorded.
Tai ji quan (tai c’hi)
Tai c’hi was created in the fourteenth century as a martial art and is prac-
tised widely in China. The term ‘tai ji’ refers to the balance of yin and yang.
It consists of a series of slow flowing exercises inspired by the movement of
animals, as reflected in the names given to the movements, e.g. ‘white stork
spreading wings’.
Though exercise reduces the risk of falls, the challenge is finding a
programme that interests participants. Research shows that tai c’hi, with its
oriental overtones, may be such a candidate.
Wolf et al., working in Atlanta, found that older people taking part in a
15-week tai c’hi programme reduced their risk of falling by 47.5%.^203 Wo l f ’s
group compared several factors before and after the interventions, and
found improvements in certain key areas. The most notable change involved
the reduction in the rate of falling for the tai c’hi group. The groups
receiving computerised balance platform training did not have significantly
lower rates of falling. The tai c’hi participants also took more deliberate
steps and decreased their walking speed slightly compared with the other
groups. Fear of falling was also reduced for the tai c’hi group. After the
intervention, only 8% of the tai c’hi group said that they feared falling,
compared with 23% before they had the training. In other work led by Wolf
it was concluded that there was no statistically significant reduction in falls
compared with wellness education.^204 The trial involved 287 people and
lasted 48 weeks. It was suggested that tai c’hi does not begin to show a
significant reduction in the risk of falling until after a number of months of
regular participation. Fewer falls were observed in a subset of patients doing
tai c’hi who had no history of fall fracture. Wolfson and colleagues found
that several interventions to improve balance and strength among older
people were effective.^205 These improvements, particularly in strength, were
preserved over a 6-month period while participants did tai c’hi exercises.
The possible reduction in falls following participation in a tai c’hi
programme was evaluated in a group of active individuals between the ages
of 70 and 92 years.^206 Participants received three sessions of the exercise per
week over 6 months when they were compared with a control group. They
proved to have a lower incidence of falls and improved measures of balance.
180 | Traditional medicine