A new study is trying to determine if tai chi can help stroke patients recover, according to a KOLD-TV article Feb. 5, 2010.
 
Dr. Ruth Taylor-Piliae, a cardiovascular nurse at the University of Arizona College of Nursing believes that tai chi can help stroke patients improve their physical and mental health and sleep quality, and thus avoid becoming depressed.
 
She is conducting a study of recovering stroke patients to demonstrate her ideas.

Taylor-Piliae says that tai chi has been used to treat people with other health conditions and has improved balance, strength, flexibility, endurance and lowered stress, anxiety and depression; the same issues with which stroke survivors struggle.
 
One recovering stroke patient who participated in the study said that tai chi dramatically helped her recovery. She said it helped her physically, mentally and spiritually.
 
Taylor-Piliae is currently recruiting more participants for the study. The results will be available in two years.