ScienceDaily (Apr. 2, 2008) — Tai Chi exercises can improve the control of type 2 diabetes, suggests a small study, published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Tai Chi Chuan is a traditional Chinese martial art, which combines deep diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with gentle movement.

The research team assessed the impact of a 12 week programme of Tai Chi exercises on the T helper cell activity of 30 patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 healthy people of the same age.

T cells are a key component of the body’s immune system, producing powerful chemicals, including interleukins, which alter the immune response.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with chronic inflammation, caused by excessive glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).

After the 12 week programme glycated haemoglobin (when excess blood sugar combines with the oxygen transporter in red blood cells) levels fell significantly from 7.59% to 7.16 in the diabetic patients. And levels of interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response, doubled. Levels of interleukin-4, which suppresses the immune response, fell. T cell activity also significantly increased.

Strenuous physical activity depresses the immune system response, but moderate exercise seems to have the opposite effect, say the authors. Tai Chi is classified as moderate exercise.

Previous research has shown that it boosts cardiovascular and respiratory function, as well as improving flexibility and relieving stress, they add.

Tai Chi may prompt a fall in blood glucose levels, or improve blood glucose metabolism, sparking a drop in the inflammatory response. Alternatively, the exercise may boost fitness levels and the feeling of wellbeing, which may then boost the health of the immune system, they suggest.

In a separate study, also published ahead of print, a 12 week programme of Tai Chi and Qigong (another Chinese exercise) prompted a significant fall in blood glucose levels and significant improvements in other indicators of the metabolic syndrome in 11 middle aged to older adults.

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms, including high blood pressure and high blood glucose that is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The 13 participants exercised for up to 1.5 hours, up to three times a week, and were also encouraged to practice the exercises at home.

At the end of the 12 weeks, they had lost an average of 3 kg in weight and their waist size had dropped by an average of almost 3 cm. Their blood pressure also fell significantly, and by more than would have been expected from the weight loss alone, say the authors.

Insulin resistance-whereby cells stop responding to insulin, a condition preceding full diabetes-also improved significantly. Three people no longer met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Participants said they slept better, had more energy, felt less pain and had fewer food cravings while on the programme.

Journal references:

Regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise improves T cell helper function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an increase in T-bet transcription factor and IL-12 production Online First Br J Sports Med 2008; doi 10.1136/bjsm.2007.043562

Preliminary study of the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome and glycaemic control in adults with raised blood glucose levels Online First Br J Sports Med 2008; doi 10.1136/bjsm.2007.045476

Effect of Tai-Chi-Chaun Exercise and 1.5 miles Running on Health-Related Physical Fitness of Students at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

Author

Mr.Ritthee Tepthaiumnoay

Mr.Santipong Pangsuvan

Department

Physical Education, Prince of Sonkla University (Pattani Campus)

Academic Year

2000

Abstract

The objective of this research was to examine the effects of Tai-chi-chaun exercise and 1.5-miles running upon health-related physical fitness of student at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus. The subjects were 45 male and female students aged between 19-21 who were studying in the second semaster of the academic year 2000 and of whom were university athletes. The were divided into three groups -one control group and two experimental ones.  The control group performed regular daily activities; the first experimental groups did Tai-chi-chaun exercise while the second one exercise by means of 1.5 -miles running. The data obtained using arithmetic mean, Standard deviatiion, t-test, ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test.

The findings were as follows:

1. The comparative study of the subjects within each group revealed a significant difference at the level of .05 between their physical fitness prior to the study for all three groups. The mean of physical fitness prior to the study was higher than that after the study among the subjects in the control group. The mean after the treatment of the two experimental groups, however, was higher than that before the treatment.

2. there was no significant difference regarding physical fitness after the treatment between the Tai-chi-chaun experimental groups and the 1.5-mile running group. However, the mean of physical fitness of both experimental groups wsa significantly higher than that of the control one at .05 level.

Perceived Health Status of the Elderly Practicing Tai Chi

Author:

Miss Natthachol Arayawithayakul

Major Program:

Adult Nursing

Academic Year:

2002

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to investigate the preception on health status in the past and present of the elderly persons who have practiced Tai Chi with eighteen movements. One hundred subjects were selected by simple random sampling without replacement from 400 members at 5 elderly clubs in Songkhla province. The research instrument was a questionaire developed by the researcher. Two parts of the questionaire were demographic data and preceived health status concerning physical, mental, social, spiritual and the overall health status. The perceived health status questionaire has reliability (Cronbach’s alpha =.92) and test-retest reliability r=.98.

The results showed that the elderly persons perceived physical, mental, social, spiritual health statuses and the overall health status in the past and present at good levels. However perceived health statuses at present were significantly higher than those in the past, p<.001, t(99)=4.93, 5.97, 4.50, 6.62, and 6.00 respectively.

The research findings showed that practicing Tai Chi had positive effects on the perception of physical, mental, social, spiritual health statuses and the overall health status of the elderly persons. There fore the practice of Tai Chi is an appropriate exercise for the elderly persons in order to obtain and endure their good health statuses.

Effect of Tai Chi Chaun exercise on glycemic control and aerobic capacity in niddm patients

Creator Name:

Chaweewan Deechauy

Description Abstract:

To determine the effect of TCC exercise on glycemic control and aerobic capacity in NIDDM (type 2) patients. Sixteen participants (11 women and 5 men, mean age 58.81+-5 yr) were sedentary, type 2 diabetics, on an oral hypo-glycemic drug, insulin, and no specified diet regimen at study onset and throughout this period. Exercise TCC about 1 hour thrice per week for 16 weeks. Body weight, percent body fat, flexibility, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc), lipid profile, and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated at baseline (first week), in the middle (8 week), and at the end (16 weeks) of TCC program.

The result showed that 34 per cent significantly increase in flexibility at eighteenth weeks and 60 per cent of TCC exercise at sixteenth weeks in comparison with a first week (p<0.05). FPG and HbAlc significantly decrease 15% (p<0.05) and 13% (p<0.01), respectively from baseline to sixteen weeks. No significant change was found in body weight, percent body fat, lipid profile. In addition, these subjects showed 10% significantly increase in VO2peak and 12% increase in peak work rate at the peak exercise (p<0.05). At the ventilatory threshold, the increment of 12% was found in VO2 and 55% in work rate (p<0.05) in comparison between first week and sixteenth weeks. Exercise intensity was estimated to 70% of maximal heart rate from peak exercise test, which corresponds to moderate exercise intensity.

Publisher: Chulalongkorn University

Address: กรุงเทพมหานคร (Bangkok)

Email: webmaster@car.chula.ac.th

Date Created: 1999

Issued: 2006-12-07

Modified: 2006-12-07

Type: วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

Identifier URL:

http://thailis-db.car.chula.ac.th/CU_DC/Thesis/November2006/ISD/chaweewan.pdf

The effects of groups counseling and Qi – Gong Relaxation training for stress reduction in HIV positive persons

Creator Name:

ลักขณาพร สายทอง 

Abstract:

This research was aimed at the effects of groups counseling and Qi-Gong relaxation training for stress reduction in HIV positive persons. The sample consisted of twelve patients with HIV infection receiving counseling at the Counseling Clinic Department of SATTAHIB, KM. 10 Hospital. These patients showed a high level of stress as manifested through electromyograph values up to 9.0 microvolts. These sample were then divided into three groups ; the one with group counseling, the one with QI-GONG relaxation training and the control with four members in each. The experiment-si with randomized control group, pre test, post test, and follow up was the research design of this study. The study was divided into three phases : pre-treatment, post-treatment and follow-up. The stress level in each phase was measured from EMG bio feed back. The data wrere the reafter analyzed by repeated-measured analysis of variable : one between-subject variable and one-within subject variable(HOWELL,1984) and -NEWMAN KEULS procedure with Q-BASIC language designed by PIRAL WONGNAM Ph.D.

Publisher: มหาวิทยาลัยบูรพา. สำนักหอสมุด.

Address: ชลบุรี (Chonburi)

Email: library@buu.ac.th

Date Created: 2546

Modified: 2550-01-21

Type: วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

Format: application/pdf

Identifier ISBN: 9743820965

Source CallNumber: 158.35 ล227ผ

Language tha

Thesis DegreeName: วิทยาศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต

Level: ปริญญาโท

Descipline: สาขาวิชาจิตวิทยาการให้คำปรึกษา

Grantor: มหาวิทยาลัยบูรพา

FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES. MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY. THAILAND

TITLE

EFFECT OF TAI-CHI ON TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

ISBN

974-04-7698-8

AUTHOR

WANTANEE YOTCHAISAN

DEGREE

Physical Therapy

PHYSICAL THERAPY FACULTY

FACULTY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND APPLIED MOVEMENT SCIENCE

ADVISOR

SOPA PICHAIYONGWONGDEE

CO-ADVISOR

TAVATCHAI PEERAPATDIT

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tai-chi 3 times a week for eight weeks on exercise capacity, plasma glucose and quality of life in type 2 female diabetic patients who practiced (study) and did not practiced (control) the taichi exercise.  Thirty subjects, aged between 44-74 years old, were voluntary divided into control (n=15) and study (n=15) groups. The evaluations of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, knee extensor muscle endurance, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, fasting plasma glucose level and quality of life (evaluated by Thai version of the SF-36 questionnaire; 9 scales) were done in this study at pre- and post-exercise program. After eight weeks of tai-chi exercise, there were significant differences of percentage change (p<0.05), in the following parameters; heart rate (study vs control: 3.09+2.66 vs -0.77+4.46; p=0.005), knee extensor muscle endurance (study vs control: 48.44+51.77 vs 2.91+16.86; p=0.001 ), forced vital capacity (study vs control: – 8.33+6.69 vs 1.96+5.25; p= 0.001 ), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (study vs control: -6.40+7.55 vs -0.56+7.70; p=0.023 ) and general health scale of SF-36 (study vs control: -10.69+ 21.19 vs 29.67+58.23; p=0.011 ). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the positive effect on type 2 female diabetic patients after continue practiced tai-chi exercise.

KEYWORD

TYPE 2 DIABETIC/ TAI-CHI/ HEART RATE/ BLOOD PRESSURE/ FORCED VITAL CAPACITY/ FORCED EXPIRATORY VOLUME IN 1 SECOND/FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE/ SF-36

FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES. MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY. THAILAND

TITLE 

THE EFFECTS OF QIGONG MEDITATION EXERCISE ON BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS.

ISBN

974 – 04 – 3670 – 6

AUTHOR

KANYA LEIANKURE

DEGREE

M.Sc. (PUBLIC HEALTH) PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING (S)

FACULTY FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

ADVISOR

SOMPORN TRIAMCHAISRI

CO-ADVISOR

PATCHARAPORN KERDMONGKOL

SURINTORN KALAMPAKORN

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is incurable. Complications of this disease can be prevented by control of blood sugar to normal or close to normal levels. Factors which affect blood sugar level are diet, exercise, and medicine. This quasi experimental study aimed to assess the effects of Qigong meditation exercise on blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Sixty diabetes patients treated at the outpatient diabetic clinic at Paholpulpayuhasena Hospital and meeting the requirements for the study were selected to be the sample group. All subjects were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group practiced Qigong meditation exercise in addition to the normal treatment, while the control group was on normal treatment. The duration of the study was eight weeks. Subjects in the experimental group and the control group were interviewed for perception of signs, symptoms, and feelings before and after the experiment. Blood sugar levels were measured before the experiment, at four weeks after the experiment, and at eight weeks after the experiment. The results of the experiment showed that after the experiment the blood sugar level in the experimental group was significantly lower than before the experiment and lower than that of the control group. The mean scores on perception of signs, symptoms, and feelings were significantly better than before the experiment and better than that of the control group. I conclude that Qigong meditation exercise could lower blood sugar and increase positive perception of signs, symptoms and feeling. Thus, this exercise should be practiced as a strategy for controlling disease in diabetic patients.

KEYWORD

QIGONG MEDITATION EXERCISE / BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL / TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

EFFECTS OF TAI CHI CHI KUNG EXERCISE ON FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY IN ELDERLY

Somporn Onla-or1, Pathomrat Saksri1, and Anothai Wongyai2

1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2 Department of Physical Therapy, Dermbangnangbuad Hospital, Supunburi, Thailand

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare functional mobility between elderly individuals who regularly practice Tai Chi Chi Kung (at least 3 days/week for at least 3 months) and non-exercise elderly.  The participants were 60 healthy elderly, aged between 60-74 years.  They were divided into 2 groups: the Tai Chi Chi Kung group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30).  The two groups were similar in sex, age, weight, height, and level of daily activity.  Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Movement Battery (TMB).  The TMB incorporated basic movements that are associated with activity of daily living and movements that elderly often have difficulty performing.  Results showed that the time to complete each item in the TMB was significantly shorter for the Tai Chi Chi Kung group than for that of the control group (p < 0.01).  Average time to complete all movements in the TMB was 29.56 +- 4.30 sec for the Tai Chi Chi Kung group and was 37.7 +- 8.28 sec for the control group. In conclusion, Tai Chi Chi Kung improves functional mobility in the healthy elderly. Previous studies showed that Tai Chi Chi Kung improves muscle strength, flexibility, and balance which are essential for functional mobility. 

In addition, Tai Chi Chi Kung is suitable for the elderly because it is a low intensity and low impact exercise.  Therefore, Tai Chi Chi Kung exercise should be promoted in the elderly community.