Seated Tai Chi as a Rehabilitation Strategy for Improving Balance Control and Eye-hand Coordination in Subjects with Parkinson’s Disease

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 3-month seated Tai Chi program on eye-hand coordination and balance control in sitting positions for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

This prospective study selected 56 participants based on their preference for intervention or control groups. The intervention group comprised 29 subjects who engaged in seated Tai Chi for three months, attending 24 sessions overall (1 hour per session, twice per week). The control group included 27 subjects who did not participate in any specific intervention. Outcome measures were assessed through a dynamic finger pointing task evaluating reaction time, movement time, and accuracy, along with a sequential weight shifting balance control test measuring completion time, all performed while seated.

Analysis of the data revealed that the seated Tai Chi group significantly improved in movement speed during the dynamic finger pointing task, with a p-value of 0.003. Additionally, they showed enhanced performance in the sequential weight shifting balance control test, achieving faster completion times (p = 0.021). The control group did not exhibit any notable changes in these measures.

The findings from this study confirm that a structured, 3-month seated Tai Chi program can effectively enhance movement time in finger pointing tasks and improve sitting balance control among individuals with Parkinson's disease. These improvements suggest that seated Tai Chi could be a viable and beneficial intervention for enhancing motor control in this population.

Considering the positive outcomes observed, further research in the form of a randomized controlled trial is recommended to validate these findings and explore the broader applicability of seated Tai Chi as a rehabilitative exercise for older patients with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, future studies might explore the long-term effects of such interventions and their potential to improve other aspects of physical health and quality of life in older adults with neurodegenerative conditions.