A new study published online ahead of print last month in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine demonstrated that a 3-month tai chi qigong program improved respiratory function and activity capacity in COPD patients participating in the study. [1]
As we’ve written in many previous articles, regular physical activity is crucially important for COPD patients to reduce shortness of breath and improve quality of life. While we’ve previously discussed tai chi as one form of physical activity that has shown promise for improving quality of life among COPD patients (click here for our most recent previous tai chi article), this is the first study to demonstrate tai chi’s impact on respiratory function.
Tai chi, according to the study authors, “…is a combination of exercise and meditation. It consists of a series of slow movements and deep breathing that helps to promote circulation of ‘‘Qi’’ (vital energy) in the meridians, regulate functions of the internal organs, and improve physiological functions. The slow, controlled graceful movements of TCQ, which integrates mental concentration and deep breathing, is believed to improve circulation and breathing. Deep breathing draws the breath down into the “tantien” (the main energy center of the body) placing less pressure on lungs and increasing lung capacity.”
The design of the study was as follows: the one hundred and fifty eight COPD patients who completed the 3-month research program were divided into three groups (a tai chi group, a walking group, and a control group). The China based researchers collected baseline measurements at the outset of the program including lung function (spirometry), exercise capacity (distance walked in 6 minutes), and self-reported dyspnea (shortness of breath) among other diagnostic tests. At 6 weeks into the study, the researchers again recorded measurements on these tests. Finally, at the end of the 3-month study, the COPD patients completed one more battery of these diagnostic evaluations. The researchers then compared the results of the baseline, 6-week and 3-month readings to assess whether there had been any significant improvements or declines since the outset of the study.
The tai chi group (60 COPD patients) practiced 13 movement forms of tai chi qigong twice a week for one hour each group session over the 3-month period. The sessions were held at an outpatient hospital center and led by a qualified tai chi instructor. Additionally, patients were asked to practice tai chi on their own at home one further hour each day during the study and were given a tai chi DVD to help facilitate their at-home practice.
The walking group (50 patients) was asked to walk for one hour daily during the study. In addition, during their one hour sessions the walking group COPD patients were also asked to practice two breathing techniques (pursed lips breathing and diaphragmatic breathing).
The control group received no instruction on breathing techniques and was not requested to engage in exercise during the course of the study (48 patients).
The results of the study showed significant improvement (7%) in forced vital capacity (a measure of respiratory function) in the tai chi group while the control group experienced a 4% decline in the same measure. The walking group showed a 4% improvement in FVC.
With regard to exercise capacity, the tai chi group exhibited an 11% jump in distance walked in 6 minutes while the control group and walking group’s distance walked rose only 2%.
The study authors concluded, “TCQ did contribute noticeable improvement in health outcomes with respect to lung functions and activity tolerance. Due to reduced physical abilities, people with COPD may not be able to carry out exercises at high-intensity levels. Despite the fact that much of the evidence pertaining to the physiological benefit of exercise is based on conventional physical exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming and cycling, the role of other complementary and alternative modes of exercise also deserves attention. TCQ has been selected in this study because it has a number of potential advantages for health promotion among people with chronic illnesses. Studies have shown that practicing TCQ in a supportive atmosphere can foster feelings of self-efficacy. Through continuous practice, the subjects gradually developed mastery, which may have the effect of increasing their confidence in disease management and treatment compliance. In addition, through the TCQ program, subjects could increase their abilities to be more independent in terms of self-care and decrease their feelings of physical dysfunction due to the disease. TCQ was also well tolerated and enjoyed by the subjects. This might be the reason for the higher compliance rate and less attrition due to ‘‘no interest to continue’’ in the TCQ group (n = 2) than in the exercise (n = 10) and the control groups (n = 11).”
Regarding the authors’ final point, it has been shown in previous respiratory health studies that COPD patients participating in tai chi programs tend to stick with the programs for longer periods of time than other forms of conventional exercise. This current study seems to echo those findings.
If you are interested in trying a tai chi class, most fitness and community centers offer group classes for all levels of skill (beginner, intermediate, expert) and the movements can be adapted so that people with limited mobility/poor balance can participate while seated in a chair. Alternatively, there are many tai chi DVDs available through retail and online stores that you can use to practice at home. These DVDs also come in beginner, intermediate and expert versions and there are a few that are geared for practicing tai chi while seated. We’ve selected a sampling of the top selling beginner DVD’s from amazon.com on our Breathe Better Marketplace site for those who are interested.
[1] Chan AWK, et al. Tai chi Qigong improves lung functions and activity tolerance in COPD clients: A single blind, randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2011) 19, 3—11.
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