NIH Radio
NCCAM Launches Study on Benefits of "Tai Chi" for Adult Cancer Survivors
Brief Description:
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health is launching a study to determine if "Tai Chi" will help adult cancer survivors.
Transcript:
Schmalfeldt: It's called "Tai Chi Chaun" — and it's often practiced and promoted as a martial arts therapy to foster health and longevity. Now the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health is launching a study to determine if this complex mind/body intervention combining aerobic exercise features with aspects of meditative practice will help adult cancer survivors. Dr. Patrick J. Mansky is the principal investigator.
Mansky: We are trying to find out whether in a population of adult cancer survivors Tai Chi as a mind/body type of intervention may be superior to (a) regular physical exercise program, which is a stationary bike type of training program, in terms of stress reduction, in terms of improvement of physical fitness, and also in terms of improvement of quality of life and psychological gain. If the study shows a positive outcome then it would be basis for encouraging some of our cancer survivors to follow a program like this.
Schmalfeldt: Dr. Mansky said that Tai Chi Chaun, as a low-cost activity accessible to all age groups, may offer an attractive approach for both individuals and health care programs to meet the needs of the growing population of cancer survivors. For information on taking part in this clinical trial, call 800-411-1222 or log on to clinicaltrials.gov and enter the key words "Tai Chi". From the National Institutes of Health, I'm Bill Schmalfeldt in Bethesda, Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 6/23/2006
Reporter: Bill Schmalfeldt
Sound Bite: Dr. Patrick J. Mansky
Topic: Cancer, Alternative Medicine
Institute(s): NCCAM
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