Tai chi results in similar or greater improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms when compared to aerobic exercise, according to a new study from Tufts University and Brown University. Aerobic exercise, a core part of standard fibromyalgia treatment, is the most commonly prescribed nondrug treatment for the disorder, which can involve widespread pain, tenderness, fatigue, and other symptoms. Findings from the new study, however, suggest that tai chi is another therapeutic option. The study, partially funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), was published in the BMJ.

Tai chi is a traditional Chinese mind and body practice that combines meditation with deep breathing, relaxation, and gentle movements. Past research found that tai chi lessened pain and improved physical and mental health in patients with fibromyalgia. However, larger and more rigorous studies were needed to confirm the benefits. The new study’s purpose was to help fill that knowledge gap by comparing the effectiveness of tai chi with that of aerobic exercise and determining whether tai chi’s effects were related to its frequency and duration.

The study involved 226 adults with fibromyalgia who had not participated in tai chi or similar practices in the 6 months prior to the study. Their average age was 52 years, 92 percent were women, and 61 percent were white. The average duration of body pain was 9 years.

 

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