Tai chi helps manage diabetes

Tai chi may help in managing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome - a collection of risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on building strength, balance and flexibility through slow, fluid movements combined with mental imagery and deep breathing. To look into the benefits of tai chi in controlling or preventing diabetes, two separate studies were conducted. For the first study, Taiwanese researchers studied 30 middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes, each of whom was matched with a diabetes-free "control" of the same age and sex. For 12 weeks, participants attended an hour-long tai chi class three times per week. At the end of the study, it was found that the diabetes' patients showed a reduction in their average HbA1c level - a measure of long-term blood sugar control. In the second study, researchers in Australia looked at the effects of a specially designed tai chi/qigong (pronounced "chee-kung") programme among 11 middle-aged to older adults with elevated blood sugar. Qigong, like tai chi, is an ancient Chinese practice and it combines gentle movements, meditation and breathing techniques. Seven of the 11 patients also had metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and impaired blood sugar control. After 12 weeks, it was found that there was a dip in the patients' average blood pressure levels and waist sizes. There was also a small improvement in blood sugar control. The findings of this study are in tandem with other recent studies that suggest that both tai chi and qigong are moderate, low-impact activities, and can help lower blood pressure, reduce fall risk and improve arthritis symptoms. However, further randomised controlled clinical trials are required, where participants are randomly assigned to either perform tai chi/qigong or serve as a comparison group.