Effect of Tai Chi on Balance, Mood, Cognition, and Quality of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The clinical picture is very variable, ultimately resulting in disability. Disease attacks manifest themselves depending on the location of the CNS damaged by inflammation, demyelination, axonal loss and gliosis. The most common manifestations include motor disorders with the development of stiffness, balance and coordination, cognition, fatigue and depression. In the long term, most patients with MS will achieve significant and irreversible incapacitation. Immunomodulatory therapy is designed to reduce disease activity, slowing progression, but only to a certain extent. A significant benefit, but little researched, is physical exercise. Tai Chi has a positive effect on various neurological diseases. In recent studies, Tai Chi has shown improvements in coordination and balance, depression, anxiety, cognition and overall quality of life in patients with MS. The aim of the project is to assess the therapeutic value of structured Tai Chi exercise based on published clinical work.