Tai Chi Boosts Defenses Against Shingles
Linda Slota, Director

 The slow, graceful movements of Ti Chi, already recognized as a good, low-impact exercise for older people, may also boost the immune responses that prevent the painful nerve condition known as shingles.

Researchers at UCLA report that Tai Chi Chih, a westernized version of the Chinese martial-art practice, produced a level of immune response similar to that of the varicella vaccine. Tai Chi even boosted the vaccine"s efficacy in subjects when they were inculated later on. The varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes the childhood disease of chicken pox, lingers in the body and can emerge years later as shingles, generally in people over 50 years of age as their immunity decreases.

The UCLA study, involved 112 healthy adults, ages 59-86, who had chickenpox earlier in life. Half took Tai Chi Chih classes three times a week for 16 weeks while the other half attended classes about healthy diet and stress management. All had preliminary and periodic blood testing. After 16 weeks, all received the chicken pox vaccine. Even before they were vaccinated, the Tai Chi group showed an increase of immune response to the virus comparable to the benefit of vaccination. After vaccination their immune response increased to a level comparable to that of people half their age. Although an earlier study had showed Tai Chi might have a protective benefit, that study was smaller, and did not include an active control group.

By enlisting older people in this larger, randomized study, the UCLA researchers specifically looked at the population at high risk for shingles. Regular participation in an exercise like Tai Chi might also boost immunity agianst other viruses. That is besides the many other benefits gained from remaining physically active into old age.