Tai Chi aids balance but not gait in neuropathic patients studies find

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Biomechanics July 2005 www.biomech.com

Studies find tai chi aids balance but not gait in neuropathic patients

By: Jordana Bieze

The benefits of tai chi for improving balance, previously documented

in elderly patients, also extend to patients with peripheral

neuropathy, according to two studies from Louisiana State University.

However, those studies found no evidence that the postural gains

associated with tai chi also improve gait in patients with peripheral

neuropathy.

Sixteen patients with peripheral neuropathy were randomized to one of

two groups, each of which trained three times a week, one hour per

session, for six weeks. Eight patients completed gait training

designed to improve dynamic gait capability; the other eight

performed a modified version of tai chi designed to improve postural

stability.

In the combined study population, both types of exercise improved

strength, balance, and functional ability (see table). But although

the researchers also found that average sway velocity with eyes

closed was associated with improvement in both groups, improvement on

the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) assessment and the

timed up and go test was associated only with gait training.

The findings were presented in early June at the annual ACSM meeting.

Training Effects

Strength:

Knee flexion Pre:55.5N Post:56.6N

Knee extension Pre:47.8N Post:52.7N

Average sway velocity:

Eyes open Pre:1.76 m/s Post:0.53 m/s

Eyes closed Pre:2.77 m/s Post:1 m/s

Dynamic Gait Index Pre:19.4 Post:21.2

Berg Balance Scale Pre:45.4 Post:53.3