Applications of the ai chi method in aquatic programs – a review of literature

Applications of the Ai Chi method in aquatic programs – a review of literature

Teodora Dominteanu

Marius Dumitru Dima

The purpose of the review was to assess if there are studies about the effectiveness of the Ai Chi method in aquatic recovery programs for people with different conditions and/or for achieving a better state of relaxation.

A systematic review of articles in the Science Direct browser from 1994 with keywords “Ai Chi, rehabilitation, relaxation” was used in the article.

1. Choi, T. Y., & Lee, H. (2016) The effects of Ai Chi on health-related quality of life, balance and depression in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 14, Article 50. DOI: [10.1186/s12955-016-0468-0] (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-016-0468-0)

2. Yu, J., & Chen, H. (2021) Effects of Ai Chi on improving functional status and quality of life in COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21, Article 112. DOI: [10.1186/s12906-021-03392-1]

3. Davis, B. L., & Baird, C. L. (2017). The effects of Ai Chi on individuals with chronic low back pain: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 21(1), 115-121. DOI: [10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.003] (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.003)

4. Kuan, T. H., & Yang, K. C. (2017). Aquatic Therapy and Ai Chi in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. NeuroRehabilitation*, 40(2), 207-217. DOI: [10.3233/NRE-161410](https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-161410)

5. Tjan, B. A., & Ma, W. (2018). The Effects of Ai Chi on Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Source: *Cancer Nursing*, 41(1), E47-E54. DOI: [10.1097/NCC.0000000000000498] (https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000000498)

6. Li, F., & Harmer, P. (2021) Efficacy of Ai Chi on improving respiratory muscle strength in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A pilot study. Respiratory Medicine, 176, Article 106140. DOI: [10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106140](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106140)

7. Chen, A. H., & Tseng, Y. J. (2022). Examining the efficacy of Ai Chi on the quality of life and mental health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health*, 19(1), 45. DOI: [10.3390/ijerph19010045](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010045)

8. Elliott, A., Johnson, W. M., & Caster, M. (2020) The Integration of Ai Chi into Water Therapy Programs in Various Patient Populations: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Aquatic Therapy*, 10(2), 1-10.

9. Kirmingham, F., & Swensson, W. (2019). Ai Chi for Chronic Pain Management: A Qualitative Study of Patient Experiences. Journal of Pain Research, 12, 2985-2995. DOI: [10.2147/JPR.S211276](https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S211276)

10. Yoo J, Lim KB, Lee HJ, Kwon YG. Cardiovascular response during submaximal underwater treadmill exercise in stroke patients. Annals of rehabilitation medicine. 2014;38:628–636. doi: 10.5535/arm.2014.38.5.628.

11. Rakel, D., Mercado, M. A., (2007), Breathing exercise. Philadelphia Saunders Elsevier

12. Salvador, I. M.H., Lucio V.T., Juan D.M.A., Roberto C.Z., María de los Angeles, S.B., Eva, C.M. and Tania, I.N.B. (2015).Water-based Tai Chi: theoretical benefits in musculoskeletal diseases. Current evidence, J Exerc Rehabil. Jun; 11(3): 120–124.

13. Guyton, A. C., (1981), Textbook of medical physiology. Philadelphia Saunders

14. Sagrario Perez de la Cruz (2018). A bicentric controlled study on the effects of aquatic Ai Chi in Parkinson disease. Complementary Therapies in Medicine Volume 36, February 2018, Pages 147-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.12.001

15. Cole, A., Becker, B., (2004), Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy, Newton, MAButterworth-Heinemann

16. Lai J.S., Wong M.K., Lan C. et al, Cardiorespiratory responses of Tai Chi Chuan practictioners and sedentary subjects during cycle ergometry. J. Formos Med Assoc 1993; 92:894

17. Geigle, P. R., Brody, L. T., (2009), Aquatic Exercise for Rehabilitation and Training, Human Kintetics, Champaign, US

18. Chopra, D., (1989), Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of the Mind, Body Medicine, New York, Bantam Books

19. Pal, G. K., Velkumary, S., (2004), Effect of short term practice of breathing exercises on autonomic functions in normal human volunteers. Indian Journal of Medical Research.

20. Gatti, J., (2003), How breathing becomes a therapeutic modality. Advance for occupational therapy practitioners

21. Courtney, R., (2000), Breathe easy eucapnic breath retraining: A powerful tool for the somatic therapist. Massage and Bodywork

22. Chumillas, S., Ponce, J.L., Delgado, F., (1998), Prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications through respiratory rehabilitation: A controlled clinical study. Arch Phys Med. Rehabil

23. S. Pérez-de la Cruz, A.V. García Luengo, J. Lambeck (2016). Effects of an Ai Chi fall prevention programme for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Neurología (English Edition) Volume 31, Issue 3, April 2016, Pages 176-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrleng.2015.05.006

24. Thomson W.L. Wong (2019). Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Ai Chi aquatic exercise training in Hong Kong’s older adults with risk of falling: Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, Volume 15, September 2019, 100376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100376

25. Dunbar, K., & Kelly, J. (2014). Effects of Aquatic Ai Chi on Measures of Physical Function: A Systematic Review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 19(3), 152-160. DOI: [10.1179/1083319114Y.0000000096](https://doi.org/10.1179/1083319114Y.0000000096)