Simplified Tai Chi Resistance Training vs. Traditional Tai Chi in Slowing Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women

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July 20, 2015 - A new study in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine examined whether simplified Tai Chi resistance training is superior to traditional Tai Chi in slowing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

This trial, conducted by 2 universities in Shanghai, included 119 postmenopausal women (age: 52-65 years). Forty participants were randomly assigned to participate in a traditional/span> Tai Chi program, 40 to a simplified Tai Chi resistance training program, and 30 to a blank control group. The Tai Chi program involved traditional Yang Style Tai Chi.

The primary outcome was the change of lumbar bone mass density (L2-L4) at 12 months over the baseline. Femoral neck and Ward's triangle were also measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: The L2-L4 density was significantly lower at 12 months in comparison to the baseline in the blank control group. In both the traditional Tai Chi group and the simplified Tai Chi resistance training group, the L2-L4 density was comparable to the baseline. There was a trend for less bone loss in the simplified Tai Chi resistance training than in the traditional Tai Chi group. Similar findings were observed with femoral neck and Ward's triangle.

The results show that simplified Tai Chi resistance training could slow bone loss in menopausal women. The results also suggested, but did not confirm, superiority to traditional Tai Chi.