With the increasing prominence of population aging, the cognitive decline of the elderly has gradually become a hotspot of clinical research. As a traditional rehabilitation exercise, Tai Chi has been proved to have a positive effect on improving cognitive function and delaying cognitive decline in the elderly. However, the related brain function mechanism is still unclear. In this paper, we collected studies which observed the changes of Tai Chi on brain regions related to cognitive function in the elderly using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We summarized relevant studies from perspective of structural and functional changes in the brain. The results showed that Tai Chi may delay and improve cognitive decline in the elderly by reshaping the structure and function of brain regions related to cognitive function such as memory, attention and execution. The effect of Tai Chi for cognitive function may be associated with positive regulation of cardiovascular function, emotion and meditation level of the elderly. In addition, the improvement of cognitive function further enhances the balance of the elderly. We also found that practice time, frequency and intensity of Tai Chi could be factors influencing the improvement of cognitive function and brain function in the elderly.
Aged ; Attention ; Brain/physiology* ; Cognition ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Tai Ji/psychology*

Mind-body medicine (MBM) is a field of medicine concerned with the ways that the mind and emotions influence the body and physical health. It may be more accurate to think of mind/body as a single entity, with the health of one part necessarily influencing that of the other. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines MBM techniques (MBT) as interventions that use a variety of techniques designed to facilitate the mind's capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms. MBT offers patients with greater control in their treatment, cheaper alternatives, effective options for managing chronic conditions, and methods for maintaining wellness. Mind-body approaches include guided imagery, meditation, hypnosis, and movement therapies such as dance, tai chi, chi gong, and yoga as well as music and chanting. Such approaches are as old as traditional oriental healing systems and as widespread as seen in Chinese, Indian, and East Asians. Modern Western medicine is now beginning to give MBTs recognition in its importance as well as efficacy. This article reviews the medical literatures on the techniques that have been studied the most: relaxation therapy, meditation, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy guided imagery, and biofeedback.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Imagery (Psychotherapy) ; Integrative Medicine ; Meditation ; Mind-Body Therapies ; Music ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Relaxation Therapy ; Singing ; Tai Ji ; Yoga

PURPOSE: This study was to determine whether the Sun-style 24 forms of Tai Chi exercise improve pain, stiffness, disability, knee joint motion, mobility, balance or falling. METHOD: Forty-six community-dwelling elderly subjects (mean age, 75.46+/-6.28) voluntarily participated in an intervention group of either 24 forms of Sun-style Tai Chi for 60 min, 2 times per week for 12 weeks or a control group. A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was used. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used to examine group differences by using SPSS12.0. RESULT: The experimental group had significantly less pain (F=7.60, p=.008) and stiffness (t=-3.19, p=.003) than the control group. Also there were significant improvements in knee joint motion on the right knee (t=2.44, p=.019), left knee (t=2.30, p=.026), rising time (F=8.03, p=.07), balance on the left single leg test (t=2.20, p=.033), and fear of falling (t=-2.33, p=.024) in the Tai Chi exercise group. No significant group differences were found in disability and falls efficacy. CONCLUSION: The Sun-style 24 forms Tai Chi exercise is effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, fear of falling and it improves balance, rising time, and knee joint motion. We suggest a continuing long term intervention to decrease disability and increase efficacy concerning falls.
Accidental Falls/prevention & control ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Fear/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Movement ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*therapy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; *Tai Ji