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In addition to continuing their study of tai chi strikes, the researchers expanded the scope of their inquiries based on some preliminary studies performed on Stanford's own resident tai chi master, Shu Dong Li. Together with Dennis Grahn, PhD, senior research scientist in biology, and two professors of radiology, Scott Atlas, MD, and Gary Glover, PhD, they used thermography and functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure biophysical changes that occur during the process of 'focusing the chi.' In Chinese martial arts and Eastern medicine, chi, or qi, represents a life force or energy that can be focused through meditative concentration.
'It was fascinating,' said Blase Iuliano, a research associate on the study. 'We could see Master Li's hands just light up in the infrared image.' But that wasn't all. While the researchers were remarking about Li's ability to warm the skin of his hands by about two degrees, he volunteered to cool them as well. 'And in a matter of moments, he reduced the temperature by about six degrees,' said Iuliano. Furthermore, focusing the chi in this way corresponded with the activation of specific areas of the brain associated with movement and feeling in the hands.
This type of voluntary control over the peripheral vascular system is rare. It's possible that teaching children how to harness this ability could help them control chronic pain, manage disease and reduce stress. Recent studies from other institutions have suggested tai chi training can promote calmness and relaxation in middle school children and improve pulmonary function in children with asthma.
It's not just kids who can benefit from tai chi. Other studies at Stanford and elsewhere have shown that adult practitioners gain balance, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and immune benefits.
In April, a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Packard Children's and the medical school orthopedics, radiology, biology and computer sciences departments collaborated to conduct similar tests on Chen, which he agreed to undergo.
'He is curious to see if we can define 'chi,'' said Rose, 'and we are intrigued by his agility and the immense force he generates, the unusual thermal regulation and brain activity. Increasing our understanding of the way he moves can add to our understanding of motor deficits, robotics and rehabilitation-device design for children for whom just walking across the floor is a struggle.'
Stanford Medical Tai Chi
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