Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42499328›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of MS care2026

Perceptions of People With Multiple Sclerosis Who Practice Tai Chi and/or Qigong: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Lita Buttolph, Jamie Villanueva, Heena Manglani-Terranova, Tanya Snyder, Gloria Y Yeh, Lindsey Wooliscroft, Ryan Bradley, Heather Zwickey

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Article in International journal of MS care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lita ButtolphHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Jamie VillanuevaHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Heena Manglani-TerranovaHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Tanya SnyderHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Gloria Y YehHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Lindsey WooliscroftHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Ryan BradleyHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).
Heather ZwickeyHelfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR (LB, TS, RB, HZ); College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (JV); Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T); Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (HM-T, GYY); Division of General Medicine, Beth Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (GYY); Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (LB, LW); MS Center of Excellence, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (LW); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (RB).

Funding

Research Training in Complementary and Integrative MedicineT32AT000051 · NCCIH · HARVARD UNIVERSITY (MEDICAL SCHOOL) · PI GLORIA Y YEH · 1999 to 2026
$10.2M
CAM Research Training in Neuroscience &StressT32AT002688 · NCCIH · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · PI OKEN, BARRY S, SOUMYANATH, AMALA · 2005 to 2025
$7.2M
Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps (BRIDG) R90 Training Program - Administrative SupplementR90AT008924 · NCCIH · NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL MEDICINE · PI BRADLEY, RYAN D, ZWICKEY, HEATHER LEA · 2015 to 2025
$5.2M
Building Research across Interdisciplinary Gaps (BRIDG) T90/R90 Training ProgramT90AT008544 · NCCIH · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · PI BOOTH-LAFORCE, CATHRYN, BRADLEY, RYAN D · 2015 to 2023
$3.9M
Mentoring and Patient-Oriented Research in Mind-Body ExerciseK24AT009465 · NCCIH · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · PI GLORIA Y YEH · 2017 to 2026
$1.3M
Aerobic exercise to improve mobility in multiple sclerosis: optimizing design and execution for a full-scale multimodal remyelination clinical trialK23HD101667 · NICHD · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · PI WOOLISCROFT, LINDSEY BRIANNA · 2020 to 2024
$799k
Mentorship in Clinical Complementary and Integrative Health ResearchK24AT011568 · NCCIH · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · PI BRADLEY, RYAN D · 2021 to 2025
$762k
NCCIH NIH HHS K24 AT009465NCCIH NIH HHS K24 AT011568NCCIH NIH HHS R90 AT008924NCCIH NIH HHS T32 AT000051NCCIH NIH HHS T32 AT002688NCCIH NIH HHS T90 AT008544NICHD NIH HHS K23 HD101667
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExercise is important for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Tai chi and qigong (TCQ) are mind-body exercises shown to benefit physical, emotional, and cognitive health in many conditions, but research has been limited in people with MS. To understand potential benefits from regular TCQ practice and factors influencing feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability, we conducted a mixed-methods study through a survey and focus groups with people with MS who regularly practice TCQ.

methodsWe conducted focus groups with people with MS from across the United States who regularly practice TCQ; the data from these groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants also completed a brief survey that collected data on demographics, MS health history and symptoms, and TCQ practice (including opinions on content, dosage, and delivery).

resultsThirteen people with MS (85% female, 69% White) participated in the study. Reported TCQ benefits included physical (balance, strength), cognitive (memory), psychological (calming), and social (community building), with a dose-response gain over time. Challenges included learning and remembering movements, physical limitations (strength, endurance, fatigue), and transportation barriers. Adaptations specific to MS included tailoring TCQ content to meet individual needs and symptoms, appropriate pace, online delivery, and safety. Keys to sustainable practice included enjoyment, patience and self-compassion, viewing TCQ as medicine, and scheduling time for practice.

conclusionsResults suggest people with MS who maintain a TCQ practice may experience physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits, especially when specific practice details and facilitators are met. Future studies might investigate how these factors influence sustainable practice.

Identifiers

PMID42499328
PMCPMC13399454

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.