2023-04-18 22:11:03
Chinese research team “more effective in delaying cognitive impairment caused by type 2 diabetes”
Chinese martial art tai chi is far more effective than brisk walking in slowing cognitive impairment caused by type 2 diabetes, a study has found.
A research team from the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China randomly assigned 328 patients over the age of 60 who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment into three groups. The first group was given 24 types of simplified tai chi exercises, and the second group was given moderate-intensity fitness walking exercises. They participated in Tai Chi and walking for 60 minutes three times a week. The third group (control group) was not taught tai chi or walking at all. All participants took a diabetes self-management class for 30 minutes once every 4 weeks.
The research team used the 30-point Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale to score cognitive function. After 36 weeks, the Tai Chi participants’ cognitive function scores were 0.84 points higher than the walking group and 1.90 points higher than the control group. After 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in cognitive function scores between the tai chi group and the walking group.
Legendary Kungfu star Bruce Lee started practicing Tai Chi at the age of 7 and later learned Wing Chun, a type of Kung Fu, from Ip Man. Although Tai Chi is a martial art, it is a non-combat physical activity that is particularly popular among the elderly. Health experts recommend walking at a moderately fast pace of regarding 6.4 km (regarding 4 miles) per hour. The research team found that tai chi not only slowed down the progression of cognitive impairment, but the metabolism was similar to that of fast walking.
Previous studies have shown that tai chi helps reduce waist circumference, improves mental health in heart patients, and relieves arthritis pain in the elderly. It also develops balance, endurance, flexibility and strength. There is also a research result that the elderly who have learned taijiquan are less likely to fall accidents.
The results of this study (Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Adults 60 Years or Older With Type 2 Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment in China-A Randomized Clinical Trial) were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network Open).
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