Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder whose cause is unknown. Primary motoric signs include tremor, rigidity, akinesia and decrease in balance. The main purpose of treatment is to slow down the disease progression, reduce the symptoms and to improve the quality of life. Tai chi is connecting movement of the trunk, legs, and arms with directed gaze on the one hand and spiritualism, will, vital energy and strength on the other hand. This form of exercise strengthens muscles and bones and has positive effects on central nervous system, cardiovascular system and on digestive and respiratory functions. Purpose: The aim of the thesis was to determine effects of tai chi on balance and walking, based on review of professional literature, on patients with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: We used descriptive method of work reviewing professional literature in our thesis. In searching of literature, we used a time frame of ten years between years 2013 and 2023. The literature was being searched with key words Parkinson’s disease, tai chi and effects of tai chi in databases PubMed and PEDro. Results: Based on inclusionary and exclusionary criteria we chose 6 studies. There were 289 participants across all studies, all of them had mild to severe form of Parkinson’s disease. Participants in experimental groups practised tai chi. Exercise program lasted 12 weeks to 1 year, the duration of training unit was 60 minutes across all exercises. In four surveys they compared tai chi with control group which didn’t practise tai chi. In two surveys addition to the tai chi group they also had a comparison group, in one survey they practised Qi-gong meditation and in the second fast walking. Three out of five studies found that tai chi improved static and dynamic balance in a statistically significant way. Of all the studies that studied the kinematics of gait, only two parameters improved statistically significantly namely the lateral center of pressure displacement toward the initial swing limb during S1 phase and the step width, and in one study mobility. Discussion and conclusion: Results of chosen surveys show that tai chi has favorable effects on balance, meanwhile analysis of surveys with gait shows improvement in step width and test get up and go. Practising tai chi would be recommended to combine with another form of exercise. Further research would be needed on long term effects of tai chi with persons with Parkinson’s disease.
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