Participants reported less pain, a happier mood and overall better quality
of life
(Reprinted from
HealthDay News Wednesday, Aug. 18 ) -- Fibromyalgia sufferers may find relief
from the chronic pain condition by doing tai chi, new research finds.
Researchers divided 66 people with fibromyalgia into two
groups: one group did hour-long sessions of tai chi twice a week for 12 weeks;
the other had a twice-weekly wellness education class followed by gentle
stretching.
At the end of 12 weeks, the tai chi group reported
improvements in their scores on questionnaires regarding both physical and
mental fibromyalgia symptoms. That included decreased pain and increased
ability to do daily tasks without pain; less fatigue, depression and anxiety;
and an overall better quality of life. Patients also reported better sleep
quality and improved physical conditioning.
The improvements were still evident at 24 weeks, according
to the research reported in the Aug. 19 issue of the New England Journal of
Medicine.
"It was incredible," said lead study author Dr.
Chenchen Wang, an associate professor of medicine in the rheumatology
department at Tufts Medical Center
in Boston.
"You could see them change every week. They became very happy. I felt
very, very excited to be with them."
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue,
insomnia and multiple tender points. The syndrome can also cause psychological
issues, including anxiety, depression, and memory and concentration problems,
sometimes called the "fibromyalgia fog."
About 10 million Americans have fibromyalgia, and about 75
percent to 90 percent of them are women, according to estimates from the
National Fibromyalgia Association.
Doctors will often suggest exercise, sleep hygiene
techniques and medications to treat the condition, but often with limited
success, said Dr. Gloria Yeh, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School,
who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal.
Most patients, according to background information in the
article, remain in pain years after the diagnosis, are aerobically unfit, have
poor muscle strength and flexibility, and need medications to control symptoms.
While larger studies are needed to confirm the findings, tai
chi looks promising as an alternative treatment, Yeh said.
"This could represent an ideal exercise for
fibromyalgia sufferers. Since it is a low-impact, gentle, non-threatening,
accessible activity, it may be a perfect exercise for debilitated patients with
fibromyalgia who otherwise cannot or choose not to do other forms of
exercise," Yeh said. "Also, since tai chi has a meditative component,
it may also help to address the stress and anxiety that may be associated with
the condition."
So what is it about tai chi that works?
There's no definitive answer to that just yet, Wang said.
Tai chi is a mind-body exercise that originated as a martial art in China,
utilizing slow, gentle movements to build strength and flexibility, as well as
deep breathing and relaxation, to move qi, or vital energy, throughout the
body.
Prior research has shown exercise can improve mood, Wang
added. The controlled breathing and movements may promote "mental
tranquility," according to the study, which could help with pain.
"The physical component of tai chi can improve aerobic
capacity, strength and muscle function," Wang said. "But in my
opinion, the most important part is mental. You see lots of patients improve
their depression and become good friends with each other."
The National
Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine of the U.S. National Institutes of Health provided
funding for the research.
SOURCES:
Chenchen Wang, M.D.,
associate professor of medicine, department of rheumatology, Tufts Medical
Center, Boston; Gloria Yeh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of medicine,
Harvard Medical School, Boston;
Aug. 19, 2010, New England Journal of Medicine
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