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

长期练太极拳可改善早期帕金森病的相关症状

The study， from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine， monitored the health of hundreds of early Parkinson’s 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 didn’t， the researchers say. Experts say the findings back up previous studies on the benefits of exercise for those with early Parkinson’s.

上海交通大学医学院的研究团队对数百名早期帕金森病患者的健康状况进行了长达五年的监测。一组147人定期练习太极拳，另一组187人则不练习太极拳。

研究人员称，每周练习两次太极拳的人与不练习太极拳的人相比，他们的并发症更少，生活质量更高。专家表示，这些发现证实了之前关于运动对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 Parkinson’s 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 Parkinson’s disease”. They say tai chi could be used to manage early Parkinson’s on a long-term basis and improve quality of life， while still helping to keep patients active.

研究人员评估了参与者的症状，结果显示，太极组的参与者的病情进展更慢。他们的跌倒次数、背痛和头晕次数更少，有记忆力和注意力问题的人数也低于另一组。与此同时，太极组的参与者的睡眠和生活质量不断提高。之前一项针对早期帕金森病患者的实验发现，与未练习太极拳的早期帕金森病患者相比，坚持练习太极拳半年的参与者在走路、姿势和平衡方面有了更大的改善。

该研究发表在《神经病学、神经外科学与精神病学杂志》，研究人员称，研究表明“太极拳对早期帕金森病有长期有益的影响”。研究者说，长期练太极拳可改善早期帕金森病的相关症状，提高患者的生活质量，同时有助于让患者保持活力。

Word Bank

complication /'kɒmplɪ'keɪʃn/ n. 并发症

symptom /'sɪmptəm/ n. 症状

retain /rɪ'teɪn/ v. 保持；持有