The effects of Tai Chi exercise on motor functions in mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease

Aims: Motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) adversely impact patients' quality of life. Exercise and physical therapy are important in reducing disability and increasing the quality of life in patients. Data on which type of exercise is more effective in the management of the disease is controversial. We aimed to examine the effect of Tai Chi exercises on motor functions in patients with PD and compare them with classical stretching-strengthening exercises. Methods: This study comprised 51 participants with PD. The patients were divided into 3 groups as the Tai Chi group, the strengthening-stretching exercises group, and the control group. The first 2 groups exercised for 50 minutes 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), The Timed Up and Go test, The freezing of Gait Questionnaire and the 10-meters walk test (10 MWT) were applied to 3 groups at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The mean BBS scores of the Tai Chi group were higher than those of the control group. The mean timed up and go test and 10 MWT scores of the Tai Chi group were lower than those of the control group. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercises can be an adjunctive treatment method for improving motor functions in patients with PD, as they are easy to apply, have high patient compliance and do not show serious side effects.