Tai Chi Chuan training improves the pulmonary function of asthmatic children.
OBJECTIVE
Tai Chi Chuan, a traditional Chinese exercise, is thought to improve cardiopulmonary function in patients with chronic disease. This study investigated the effect of Tai Chi Chuan on the pulmonary function and daily symptoms of asthmatic children.


METHODS
Thirty asthmatic children were enrolled into the study. Fifteen of the 30 children participated in a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program and the remaining 15 constituted the control group. Prior to study participation, the pulmonary function of all enrolled children was assessed at rest, after exercise, and after exercise plus iced water. A 3-day symptoms questionnaire was also completed and a score obtained after each pulmonary function test.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline pulmonary function and severity of asthmatic symptoms before study commencement, at rest, after exercise, or after exercise plus iced water. However, after the 12-week program, children in the Tai Chi Chuan group had a significant improvement in pulmonary function compared to the control group. Although there were no significant differences in post-training symptom scores at rest and after exercise between the two groups, under the stronger challenge of exercise plus iced water, children in the Tai Chi Chuan group had milder symptoms than those in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that Tai Chi Chuan can improve the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. However, long-term follow-up is required to determine the impact of Tai Chi Chuan on the severity of asthmatic symptoms.
Chang
Yu-Feng
YF
Department of Pediatrics, Hsin Chu General Hospital, Hsin Chu, Taiwan.
Yang
Yao-Hsu
YH
Chen
Chin-Chieh
CC
Chiang
Bor-Luen
BL
D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome