The Healing Harmony: Study shows Taichi's positive impact on glycemic control and lung diffusion capacity in type 2 diabetes

Variation of diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is predicted by IL-6, eNOS, vWF, TNF-α, and insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity was shown to be far more important than other factors, which is likely a driving force to benefit anti-inflammation, blood glycemic control, and endothelial function.

"Reciprocally, Taichi training reduced inflammatory markers and enhanced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which reinforces with improved glycemic control, contribute to improved pulmonary diffusion capacity in patients with T2DM," the researchers wrote.

In the realm of holistic wellness, the ancient practice of Taichi has emerged as a beacon of hope, especially for individuals grappling with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent research has unveiled a promising avenue for managing this metabolic condition: twenty-four weeks of Taichi training. Beyond its renowned benefits for physical and mental well-being, Taichi appears to wield a transformative power over pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in diabetes patients.

Pulmonary diffusion capacity, a measure of the lung's ability to exchange gases, is a pivotal aspect of respiratory health often compromised in diabetes patients. Remarkably, Taichi training demonstrated a remarkable enhancement in pulmonary diffusion capacity among participants. The rhythmic movements and controlled breathing inherent in Taichi's practice fostered lung efficiency, facilitating better oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination. Such pulmonary function improvements alleviate respiratory distress and bolster overall vitality and resilience.

Against the above background, Xiaoli Liu, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America, and colleagues investigated the effect of 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training on pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with T2DM.

For this purpose, forty-eight patients with T2DM were included. They were randomly divided into three groups: Group A—Taichi training: practiced Taichi 60 min/day, six days/week for 24 weeks; Group B—Taichi plus resistance band training: practiced 60-min Taichi 4 days/week plus 60-min resistance band training two days/week for 24 weeks; and Group C–controls: maintaining their daily lifestyles.

Stepwise multiple regression analysis was applied to predict DLCO by insulin, fasting blood glucose, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), interleukin-6 (IL-6), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin I-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor.

The study led to the following findings:

• Taichi training with or without resistance band training significantly improved DLCO, increased insulin sensitivity, eNOS, and NO, and reduced fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, TNF-α, vWF, IL-6, ICAM-1, and ET-1.
• There was no change in any of these variables in the control group.
• DLCO was significantly predicted (R2 = 0.82) by insulin sensitivity (standard-β = 0.415), TNF-α (standard-β = -0.259), eNOS (standard-β = 0.128, P = 0.017), vWF (standard-β = -0.201), and IL-6 (standard-β = -0.175) in patients with T2DM.
• The impact of insulin sensitivity was the most important predictor for the variation of DLCO based on the multiple regression modeling.

In conclusion, the study demonstrates that 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training effectively improve blood glycemic control and pulmonary diffusion capacity in patients with T2DM.

DLCO variation is explained by improved endothelial function and insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, vWF, and IL-6.

Reference:

Liu, X., Zhu, H., Peng, Y., Liu, Y., & Shi, X. (2024). Twenty-Four week Taichi training improves pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. PLOS ONE, 19(4), e0299495. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299495