Practicing Tai Chi Regularly Improves Symptoms of Early Parkinson’s Patients

長期練太極拳可改善早期帕金森病的相關癥狀

The study， from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine， monitored the health of hundreds of early Parkinsons patients for up to five years. One group of 147 people practiced regular tai chi while the other group of 187 did not.

Those who practiced the Chinese martial art of tai chi twice a week had fewer complications and better quality of life than those who didnt， the researchers say. Experts say the findings back up previous studies on the benefits of exercise for those with early Parkinsons.

上海交通大學醫學院的研究團隊對數百名早期帕金森病患者的健康狀況進行了長達五年的監測。一組147人定期練習太極拳，另一組187人則不練習太極拳。

研究人員稱，每周練習兩次太極拳的人與不練習太極拳的人相比，他們的并發癥更少，生活質量更高。專家表示，這些發現證實了之前關于運動對早期帕金森病患者有益的研究。

The researchers found that the disease progressed more slowly in the tai chi group on measurements of symptoms. This group also saw fewer falls， less back pain and dizziness， with memory and concentration problems also lower than in the other group. At the same time， sleep and quality of life continuously improved. A previous trial of people with early Parkinsons who practiced tai chi for six months found greater improvements in walking， posture and balance than those not on the program.

Writing in the Journal of Neurology， Neurosurgery & Psychiatry， researchers say their study shows “that tai chi retains the long-term beneficial effect on early Parkinsons disease”. They say tai chi could be used to manage early Parkinsons on a long-term basis and improve quality of life， while still helping to keep patients active.

研究人員評估了參與者的癥狀，結果顯示，太極組的參與者的病情進展更慢。他們的跌倒次數、背痛和頭暈次數更少，有記憶力和注意力問題的人數也低于另一組。與此同時，太極組的參與者的睡眠和生活質量不斷提高。之前一項針對早期帕金森病患者的實驗發現，與未練習太極拳的早期帕金森病患者相比，堅持練習太極拳半年的參與者在走路、姿勢和平衡方面有了更大的改善。

該研究發表在《神經病學、神經外科學與精神病學雜志》，研究人員稱，研究表明“太極拳對早期帕金森病有長期有益的影響”。研究者說，長期練太極拳可改善早期帕金森病的相關癥狀，提高患者的生活質量，同時有助于讓患者保持活力。

Word Bank

complication /'k?mpl?'ke??n/ n. 并發癥

symptom /'s?mpt?m/ n. 癥狀

retain /r?'te?n/ v. 保持；持有