Tai Chi, Qigong and the Treatment of Dementia

Dementia includes a variety of cognitive impairments often associated with advanced aging. Individuals
who have it have difficulty performing normal cognitive functions. Tai chi and qigong are forms of
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that are being used to treat various kinds of dementia. This article
summarizes some recent studies on the use of tai chi and qigong on patients suffering from dementia.
Several studies have found that the use of tai chi or qigong have been significantly more beneficial in
slowing down or even reversing mental decline when compared to the control group.

Keywords: Tai Chi; Qigong; Traditional Chinese Medicine; TCM; Dementia; Alzheimer’s Disease; Cognitive
Impairment

Abbreviations: TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine; CDR: Clinical Dementia Rating; MoCA: Montreal
Cognitive Assessment; CDR-SB: CDR-Sum of Boxes; TUG: Timed Up and Go; GDS: Geriatric Depression
Scale; AMCI: Mild Cognitive Impairment; TDCS: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation