Tai Chi and vestibular rehabilitation
Question :
Can Tai Chi be used for vestibular rehabilitation to remedy balance impairment caused by damage to the peripheral vestibular system?
Answer :
Tai Chi improves lower extremity motor control which results in a more vigorous gait and better trunk control.
Summary :
36 older adults (average age of 56.9 years) with vestibulopathy were randomized to either Tai Chi exercise or vestibular rehabilitation. Tai Chi was performed for 70 minutes (including 20 minutes of warm-up exercises), once per week, for 10 weeks. Five Tai Chi movements from Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s Yang-style short form were taught in this study.
Reference :
Tai Chi and vestibular rehabilitation improve vestibulopathic gait via different neuromuscular mechanisms: Preliminary report.
BMC Neurology. 2005 February. Free full text.
