The effectiveness of tai chi in improving balance and reducing falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Topic overview: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is known to affect movement and affect balance. It is also associated with depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life. Tai Chi (TC) is a therapeutic exercise that may aid patients living with PD. The research question: In patients with Parkinson’s Disease, does Tai Chi improve balance and reduce the risks of falls? PICO elements: The population studied comprised Parkinson's Disease patients. The intervention was the TC practice in comparison to no intervention. The potential outcome was improved balance and a decreased risk of falls. Method: The essential elements from the PICO question were used to generate terms for literature retrieval. Boolean Operators were used to combine these terms. Limiters were also used for a more precise search. The phrases created were then searched in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. The PRISMA 2009 checklist was used, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to eliminate articles that were not relevant. Chosen articles were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools to determine their quality. Results: This study included two meta-analysis and two randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Both meta-analysis RCTs found that Tai Chi significantly improves balance and motor function in patients with Parkinson's Disease compared to no intervention. Conclusion: The results show that Tai Chi can reduce the risks of falls and improve balance. However, more research should be carried out for a more precise answer to the PICO question. Implications and recommendations: Tai Chi practiced by PD patients would provide many health benefits. This includes improvement in balance and gait. This leads to decreased risk of falls and a better quality of life. To gain a more comprehensive outlook on the effect of Tai Chi exercise on balance improvement in patients with PD, it is recommended to conduct additional research with a greater sample size.