{"id":1612,"date":"2011-04-16T17:24:05","date_gmt":"2011-04-16T21:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=1612"},"modified":"2011-11-19T00:19:18","modified_gmt":"2011-11-19T05:19:18","slug":"scientific-qi-exploration-are-you-really-studying-tai-chi-and-is-it-effective-for-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=1612","title":{"rendered":"Scientific Qi Exploration – Taiji"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are You Really Studying Tai Chi and Is It Effective for Stress?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Martin Eisen, Ph.D.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 What is Classical Tai Chi (Taiji)?\"\"<\/a><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Only the Yang style will be discussed.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 These styles have also been altered and shortened.<\/p>\n

The original (old) Yang Tai Chi form was devised by Yang Lu-Chan (1799 \u2013 1872) and consisted of about 128 postures, not counting repetitions.\u00a0 It had both fast and slow movements in it.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The (new) long form, practiced by most Yang stylists today, was derived from the Yang Lo \u2013 Sim form by Yang Cheng \u2013 Fu (1883 \u2013 1936).\u00a0 He removed the fast fa-jing moves, all leaping kicks and made slightly different moves the same.\u00a0 It has about 108 postures.\u00a0 To learn the original form properly took about 5 or 6 years.<\/p>\n

Each move in the old form not only showed how to strike acupoints, but the proper direction for striking them, with devastating results.\u00a0 This could result in death of an adversary and was known as Dim Mak.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0 Martial Push Hands (Toi Sau), consisting of countering punches, strikes, kicks, locks and throws (Chin Na).\u00a0 This is not the same as the modern, popular push hands, whose purpose is to push the opponent off-balance.\u00a0 Chi Sau (sticky hands) are also practiced, as well as Pushing Feet, in which only the feet are used to attack and defend.\u00a0 These exercises are mainly to train the student to combat single attacks.<\/p>\n

More complex exercises are used for continuous attacks, such as Da Lu (the Great Repulse) and Small San Sau (Free Hands).\u00a0 These exercises only use a small number of the techniques from the old form.<\/p>\n

Students then learn Pauchui (Cannon Fist), the remaining movements from the old form, done powerfully rapidly.\u00a0 Puchui consists of two different formulas, a fixed sequence of moves, which are practiced alone.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 At first, they practice slowly and then, gradually faster, with full power.\u00a0 Later, the techniques are applied randomly, leading to free sparring.\u00a0 Usually the Large San Sau is not taught until a student has practiced for at least four years.<\/p>\n

Weapons, such as the sword, spear, are also taught as solo forms and then, two-person sparring exercises.<\/p>\n

There are several associated medical and health aspects in Tai Chi connected with the old solo form associated martial training exercises.\u00a0 There is a natural, biorhythmic Qi flow in the body every 24 hours, known as the Horary Cycle.\u00a0 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:<\/p>\n

Lung (3-5 AM) \u2192 Large Intestines (5-7 AM) \u2192 Stomach (7-9 AM) \u2192 Spleen (9-11 AM) \u2192 Heart (11AM – 1PM) \u2192 Small Intestines (1-3 PM) \u2192 Bladder (3-5 PM) \u2192 Kidney (5-7 PM )\u2192 Pericardium (7-9 PM) \u2192 Triple Energizer ( 9-11 PM ) \u2192 Gallbladder ( 11PM – 1AM) \u2192 Liver (1 \u2013 3 AM)\u00a0 \u2192 Lung \u2026..<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 In addition, each posture in the Yang form can be practiced alone as a Qigong exercise to treat various conditions in the body \u2013for 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.<\/p>\n

Most people cannot learn to relax sufficiently by only doing the solo form.\u00a0 Practicing the two-person exercises is required.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition, practicing the San Sau form can energize the practitioners if the acupoints are struck lightly.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Techniques for resuscitating attackers and treating accidental practice injuries must also be learned.\u00a0 Moreover, the same Dim Mak technique, when done gently and with a healing mind \u2013set can be used to treat diseases.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Chin Na in Tai Chi<\/p><\/div>\n

Auxiliary Qigong training, which includes holding postures, is also an integral part of training.\u00a0 This helps students increase their internal energy, learn to feel Qi, helps relaxation, rooting, and projecting Qi.\u00a0 External Qi healing is also taught.<\/p>\n

Classical Tai Chi takes years of dedicated study.\u00a0 It is very difficult to learn in modern times because of many distractions.\u00a0 To teach Tai Chi to the masses, several different shorter versions of the new, long, Yang Ching \u2013 Po have been devised such as: the Beijing 24 movement version, Chen Man-ching 37 movement\u00a0form, the 42 movement competition form developed by the\u00a0Chinese National Wushu Association, and a 48 movement Yang style version by the Chinese National Athletic Association.\u00a0 There is even a fast set version developed by Master Dong Ying-jie.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 There are also many principals for doing the postures correctly.\u00a0 In some modern, shorter versions, these principals are not obeyed.\u00a0 Even if the student is taught the principals and has them memorized, it takes years before they can be performed correctly.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 Further studies, using a walking control group as in (21), should be done.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Clinical trials have not been carried out to justify all of these claims.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Is Tai Chi a Form of Qigong?\"\"<\/a><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Thus, Tai Chi can be considered to be a form of Qigong according to the Qi definition of Qigong (1).<\/p>\n

Even some beginners claim to feel Qi or some of its manifestations.\u00a0 However, often this is just the result of muscle tension restricting blood flow and brainwashing by the instructor.\u00a0 Initially, because beginners must concentrate on the postures and principals, their minds are too preoccupied to feel Qi.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Even in the absence of any other symptoms or signs, Lhermitte’s sign is a strong indication of MS.\u00a0 In our patient electrical sensation compatible with Lhermitte\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n

The first definition of Qigong is not suitable for research, since the exact nature of Qi is unknown.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Thus, Tai Chi is a form of Qigong according to the second definition in (1).<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Tai Chi for Relieving Stress\"\"<\/a><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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\u2019s experience).\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 A later paper by Jin (9) investigated this query.<\/p>\n

The study (9) compares the stress-reducing attributes of Tai Chi to those of brisk walking, meditation, and sitting and reading.\u00a0 There was no difference in the magnitude of cortisol reduction between the Tai Chi group and the other three groups.\u00a0 Hence, an additive effect of the physical exercise component and the cognitive exercise component in the practice of Tai Chi is not evident. <\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Tai Chi for Stress-related Symptoms<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Control of Hypertension<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Wang et al.\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Improvement of Cardiovascular Conditions <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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.”<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 The authors were unaware of an earlier study (19) on the beneficial effects of Tai chi for dialysis patients.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 They found Tai Chi to be an effective way to improve many fitness measures in elderly women over a 3-month period\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Twenty patients with coronary heart disease <\/span>were recruited for the study (28). Ten patients practiced <\/span>supervised Tai Chi training once a week and home-based <\/span>Tai Chi training three times a week, together with <\/span>conventional cardiac rehabilitation for one year. The <\/span>control group only received the conventional cardiac <\/span>rehabilitation. The patients in the Tai Chi group <\/span>showed statistically significant improvement in baroreflex <\/span>sensitivity. The researchers concluded that Tai Chi training <\/span>is beneficial in the treatment of coronary heart disease.<\/span><\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reduction of Chronic Pain Syndrome and Arthritis Symptoms<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pain and fatigue significantly decreased in the experimental group in (14).\u00a0 However, the improvement in daily life performance of the rheumatoid arthritis patients was not statistically significant but their sense of balance was enhanced significantly.<\/p>\n

Sun-style Tai Chi exercise (6) was found as beneficial for women with osteoarthritis to reduce their perceived arthritic symptoms and to healthier behavior.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Similar conclusions were reached in another study (16) comparing Tai Chi and an aquatic group for rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n

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. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Collectively this evidence is not convincing enough to suggest that Tai Chi is an effective <\/em><\/strong>treatment for RA. The value of Tai Chi for this indication therefore remains unproven. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reduction of Anxiety and Depression<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In (20), significant improvements in trait anxiety, pain perception, mood, flexibility, and balance were obtained.\u00a0 These may have a profound effect on the incidence of falls, injuries, resulting disability, and overall quality of life.<\/p>\n

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).\u00a0 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. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, and anxiety status on subjects in a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise program were studied (23).\u00a0\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Another paper on the\u00a0 beneficial effect of Tai Chi on depression in older individuals appears in (26). <\/strong><\/p>\n

Immunity<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Previous studies have suggested that Tai Chi may improve immune function. This
\nstudy (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.\u00a0 However, further study is needed to determine whether the enhanced response is sufficient to provide definitive protection from influenza infection. <\/strong><\/p>\n

References<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eisen, M.,\u00a0 Qigong and Taiji application in stress management.\u00a0 Part 2: Qigong for stress, Qi Dao, Jan. \u2013 Feb., 2008.
\n2.\u00a0 Achiron, A., Barak, Y., Stern, Y., Noy, S.\u00a0 Electrical sensation during Tai-Chi practice as the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis,” Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 99, 280-281, 1997.
\n3.\u00a0 Sandlund, E. S., & Norlander, T.\u00a0 The effects of Tai Chi Chuan relaxation and exercise on stress responses and well-being: An overview of research. International Journal of Stress Management<\/em>,7<\/em>(2), 139\u2013149,\u00a0 April 2000.
\n4.\u00a0 Wang, C. C., Collet, J. P., & Lau, J.\u00a0 The effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions. Archive of Internal Medicine<\/em>, 164<\/em>, 493\u2013501, 2004.
\n5.\u00a0\u00a0 Kuramoto, A. M.\u00a0 Therapeutic benefits of Tai Chi exercise: research review.\u00a0 WMI, 6, 105(7), 42-6,\u00a0 Oct. 2006.
\n6.\u00a0\u00a0 Song, R., Lee, E.O., Lam. P. Bae, S.C.\u00a0\u00a0 Effects of a Sun-style Tai Chi exercise on arthritic symptoms, motivation and the performance of health behaviors in women with osteoarthritis.\u00a0 Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 37(2),249-56, March 2007.
\n7.\u00a0\u00a0 Jin, P..\u00a0 Changes in heart rate, noradrenaline, cortisol and mood during Tai Chi. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 33, No. 2, 197-206, <\/strong>1989.<\/em>
\n8.<\/em> Sun, X., Xu Y., Xia Y.\u00a0 Determination of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes in aged subjects with Taichiquan exercise.\u00a0 Int J Sports med, Vol.10, No 3, 217-219, 1989.
\n9.\u00a0\u00a0 Jin, P.\u00a0 Efficacy of Tai Chi, brisk walking, meditation, and reading in reducing mental and emotional stress.\u00a0 Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 36, No. 4, 361-370, 1992.
\n10.\u00a0 Lai, J.,\u00a0 Lan, C.,\u00a0 Wong, M., and Teng, S.\u00a0\u00a0 Two-year trends in cardiorespiratory function among older Tai Chi Chuan practitioners and sedentary subjects.\u00a0 Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Vol. 43: 1222-1227, 1995.
\n11.\u00a0 Young, D.R., Appel, L.J.,\u00a0 Jee, S.\u00a0 The effects of aerobic exercise and T’ai Chi on blood pressure in the elderly,”, Circulation v. 97(#8), 54-P54, March 3, 1998.
\n12.\u00a0 Gong, L, Qian J., Zhang J., Yang Q., Jiang J., and Tao Q.\u00a0 Changes in heart rate and electrocardiogram during Taijiquan exercise; analysis by telemetry in 100 subjects.\u00a0 Chinese Medical Journal 94(9), 589-592, 1981.
\n13.\u00a0 Channer, K.S., Barrow, D., Barrow, R., Osborne, M., and Ives, G.\u00a0 Changes in haemodynamic parameters following Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction.\u00a0\u00a0 Postgraduate Medical Journal, 349-351, 1990.
\n14. Lee, K.Y. and Jeong, O. Y.\u00a0 The effect of Tai Chi movement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.\u00a0 Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36(2),278-85, 2006.
\n15.\u00a0 Lee, H.Y.\u00a0 Comparison of effects among Tai-Chi exercise, aquatic exercise, and a self-help program for patients with knee osteoarthritis.\u00a0 Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36(3), 571-80, 2006.
\n16. Kirsteins,\u00a0A.E.; Dietz,\u00a0F.; Hwang,\u00a0S.M.\u00a0 Evaluating the safety and potential use of a weight-bearing exercise, Tai-Chi Chuan, for rheumatoid arthritis patients.\u00a0 Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil., 70(3), 136-41, 1991.
\n17. Han,\u00a0A., Robinson,\u00a0V., Judd,\u00a0M., Taixiang,\u00a0W., Wells\u00a0G.; Tugwell,\u00a0P.\u00a0 Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochtane Database Syst. Rev., (3), CD004859, 2004.
\n18. Taylor-Piliae,\u00a0R.E., Haskell, W.L., Waters,\u00a0C.M.; Froelicher,\u00a0E.S.\u00a0 J. Adv. Nurs., 54(3), 313-29, 2006.
\n19. Mustata,\u00a0S., Cooper,\u00a0L., Langrick,\u00a0N., Simon,\u00a0N., Jassal,\u00a0S.V,; Oreopoulos,\u00a0D.G.\u00a0\u00a0 The effect of a Tai Chi exercise program on quality of life in patients on peritoneal dialysis: a pilot study.\u00a0 Perit. Dial. Int., 25(3), 291 \u2013 4, 2005.
\n20.\u00a0 Ross, M.C., Bohannon, A.S., Davis, D.C.; Gurchiek, L.\u00a0 The effects of a short-term exercise program on movement, pain, and mood in the elderly. Results of a pilot study.\u00a0 J. Holist. Nurs., Jun;17(2):139-47, 1999.
\n21\u00a0 Audette, J.F., Jin, Y.S. , Newcomer, R., Stein, L. Duncan G., Duncan, G.; frontera, W.R.\u00a0 Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women.\u00a0 Age Aging.\u00a0 \u00a0Jul;35(4),388-93, 2006.
\n22.\u00a0 Galantino, M.L<\/a>., Shepard, K<\/a>., Krafft, L<\/a>., Laperriere, A<\/a>., Ducette, J<\/a>., Sorbello, A<\/a>., Barnish, M<\/a>., Condoluci, D<\/a>.; Farrar JT<\/a>.\u00a0 The effect of group aerobic exercise and t’ai chi on functional outcomes and quality of life for persons living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.\u00a0 J. Altern. Complement. Med.\u00a0 \u00a0Dec;11(6),1085-9, 2005.
\n23.\u00a0 Tsai JC<\/a>, Wang WH<\/a>, Chan P<\/a>, Lin LJ<\/a>, Wang CH<\/a>, Tomlinson B<\/a>, Hsieh MH<\/a>, Yang HY<\/a>, Liu JC<\/a>. The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and anxiety status in a randomized controlled trial.\u00a0 J Altern Complement Med.<\/a> Oct;9(5):747-54, 2003.
\n24.\u00a0 Irwin, M.R., et al.\u00a0 Augmenting immune responses to varicella
\nzoster virus in older adults: A randomized, controlled trial of Tai Chi.\u00a0 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Volume 55,4, 511\u2013517, April 2007.
\n25.\u00a0 Lee et al. Tai chi for rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review.\u00a0 Rheumatology (Oxford)<\/a>, Nov., 46(11),1648-51, 2007..
\n26.\u00a0 Chou, K.L<\/a>., Lee, P.W<\/a>., Yu, E.C<\/a>., Macfarlane, D<\/a>., Cheng, Y.H<\/a>., Chan, S.S<\/a>.; Chi, I<\/a>.\u00a0 Effect of Tai Chi on depressive symptoms amongst Chinese older patients with depressive disorders: a randomized clinical trial.\u00a0 Int J Geriatr Psychiatry<\/a>, Nov;19(11):1105-7, 2004.
\n27.\u00a0 Yang Y, et al. Effects of a Taiji and Qigong intervention on the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults. Am J Chin Med. 35(4), 597-607, 2007.
\n28.\u00a0 Sato, S., et al., \u00a0\u00a0Effect of Tai Chi training on baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in patients with coronary heart disease.\u00a0 \u00a0Int. Heart J., 51(4): 238-41,\u00a0 July 2010.<\/p>\n

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