Recently, a conference titled “Taijiquan in the treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases – Scientific Evidence – Experiences in Comparison” was organized by the Minerva Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center and by Master Jia Jingquan of the Tuhe Association of Naples.
I had the opportunity to participate in this interesting event both as a doctor and as a practitioner of the ancient discipline of Taijiquan, and I thought I would share with interested readers a summary of the presentations included in the conference program.
In the opening remarks, Dr. Oreste Caporale, specialist in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, emphasized the importance of prevention through proper dietary habits and regular physical activity, as extensively demonstrated by the latest national and international clinical studies on longevity and long-term quality of life.
Particularly interesting and current was the connection with Professor Zhu Jianfei, Director of the International Training School of the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who reminded the audience of the great opportunity offered by cultural exchanges between the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Henan University and the Italian Chinese Cultural Sports Association Tuhe – currently the Italian Department of the International Training School of Henan University – aimed at promoting teaching, research, and medical care, including the culture of Taijiquan.
Professor Alessandro Tessitore, Director of the UOC Neurology and Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center at the Luigi Vanvitelli University Hospital, emphasized the importance of physical activity and exercise in international recommendations for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. He included the practice of Taijiquan among alternative and/or complementary therapies, within motor activities that positively influence the quality of life of people affected by this condition.
Professor Ennio Del Giudice, former professor of Child Neuropsychiatry at the University of Federico II in Naples, illustrated the scientific evidence available regarding the beneficial effects of Taijiquan, noting that PubMed records about 2600 articles related to it. He then analyzed in detail a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on the effectiveness of this discipline in improving postural stability in Parkinson’s disease patients. He also mentioned two recent articles published this year, which show how, following the practice of Taijiquan, patients experience increased cognitive efficiency and an increase in the volume of gray matter in the brain areas responsible for memory. Finally, he presented a study, also broadcast by the BBC, published in the official journal of the British Society of Neurology, which confirms the long-lasting benefits of Taijiquan on both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The presentations by Dr. Maria Teresa Giamattei, Alberto Battaglini, and Maria Valeria Capone, specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, reiterated the need for an intervention program that is structured and integrated with the entire medical-rehabilitation process and personalized, i.e., tailored to the specific needs of the individual patient.
Dr. Rosario Savino, Child Neuropsychiatrist and expert in Psychoneuroendocrinology, discussed the value of the holistic conception of the individual, especially if they are dealing with a pathological condition. He also cited a study demonstrating that the practice of Taijiquan can increase endogenous opioids, thus reducing the pain perception experienced daily by Parkinson’s patients.
The event concluded with the intervention of Master Jia Jingquan, teacher of Taijiquan, Qigong, and Tuina. In the first theoretical part, he explained that Taijiquan includes the concepts of ancient traditional Chinese culture and has been listed as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since December 2020. In ancient times, Taijiquan was a martial art for self-defense and combat, while today it can be used in the holistic management of various pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. Master Jia Jingquan emphasized that Taijiquan is very different from other forms of physical activity – such as gymnastics, dance, or even physiotherapy – and explained why practicing this discipline can improve quality of life and psychophysical well-being. In the second part of his speech, he involved the audience by presenting his own method, which, through the use of Taijiquan and Qigong techniques, enables effective results even in Parkinson’s patients in a relatively short time. The exercises created by Master Jia Jingquan, if practiced regularly and continuously, improve both coordination and balance. They also help work on concentration and the internal visualization ability of one’s body, leading to a gradual state of awareness and physical and mental relaxation, which, coordinated with breathing, promotes a continuous flow of vital energy throughout the body.
Taijiquan can therefore be a valuable aid in the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s, as has been widely demonstrated over the years by many research centers, including internationally.
Dr. Angela Francesca Crisanti
Medical Doctor
Specialist in Pediatrics
Postgraduate in Pediatric Neurology
PhD in Pediatric Sciences at the University of Bologna
