Print
Event Types
Break
Breakfast
Concurrent Sessions
Plenary
Poster Session
Reception
Registration
Special Session
Search
Show All
Agenda
Filters
Select any of the filters below to view only workshops that meet that criteriaEvent Types
Search
Show All
Thursday, April 30
Day 1
-
7:30 - 8:15 Breakfast
-
7:30 - 18:00 Registration
-
8:30 - 10:20 Plenaries
-
10:20 - 11:05 Poster Session
-
11:05 - 12:05 Concurrent Sessions
-
12:05 - 13:30 Lunch On Own
-
13:30 - 15:45 Concurrent Sessions
-
16:00 - 17:30 Plenaries
-
17:30 - 19:00 Reception
Friday, May 1
Day 2
-
7:30 - 8:15 Breakfast
-
7:30 - 17:30 Registration
-
8:30 - 10:15 Plenaries
-
10:15 - 11:00 Poster Session
-
11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent Sessions
-
12:00 - 13:15 Special Session
-
12:00 - 13:30 Lunch On Own
-
13:30 - 15:45 Concurrent Sessions
-
15:45 - 16:00 Break
-
16:00 - 17:30 Plenaries
Thursday, April 30
| 07:30 - 08:15 - Breakfast | |||||||||||
Continental Breakfast |
|||||||||||
| 07:30 - 18:00 - Registration | |||||||||||
Registration & Information Desk |
|||||||||||
| 08:30 - 08:50 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Opening Remarks |
|||||||||||
| 08:50 - 10:10 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 01: Aging Brain, Aging Body, Mind-Body HealthHealthy aging requires attention to both mind and body. This session will begin with a broad overview of the physiology of the aging brain and its complex connection with the body, along with leading edge tools available to understand risks of cognitive-motor decline, and the potential of therapeutic mind-body practices for healthy aging.
Promoting a Healthy Brain into Old Age: Making Brain Health a Lifelong Habit.Thanks to advances in medicine and public health, we are living longer lives. However, more years of life are currently associated largely with more years of disability, not with more years of health and well-being. Brain disorders are the leading cause of disability across the lifespan, greater than disability due to cancer or cardiovascular diseases combined. The challenge is to reduce the impact of brain disorders and the disabilities they cause. Treating neurological and psychiatric diseases is a necessary strategy, but it is not sufficient. It is essential to maintain brain health throughout the entire lifespan, making the brain more resilient to changes or diseases that may arise. This requires understanding human life as a continuous process of development, in which certain capacities are gained and others are gradually lost, and in which it is possible to promote resilience and cognitive (brain) reserve. In addition, the brain monitors and promotes the health of the body, and a healthy brain is essential for overall health and well-being. Therefore, promoting brain health is crucial, but it needs to be done in the context of the full person and their circumstances. Each individual needs to be empowered to define and pursue their brain health goals. To address this major challenge, we need a different approach: a “Pit Stop Model for Brain Care”, focused on Population Screening, Early Detection, Early Intervention, Empowering of Patient and Family, Considering the Whole Person and Their Circumstances, Longitudinal Monitoring, and Leveraging of Mobile / Digital Technologies. We need to rethink public health, health policy, education, and individual habits and lifestyles. Recent advances in neuroscience make it possible to inform and recommend an evidence-based approach, including mind-body therapies such as Tai Chi and Qigong, and the identification and modulation of spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity offer a personalized and transformative therapeutic approach. The use of mobile technologies makes it possible to empower individuals to define their brain health goals, monitor progress, and achieve them. The goal is to promote brain health and resilience to prevent brain diseases, and in the presence of disease minimize the risk of disability and optimize function.
Presented By:
Dual-Task Gait: A Dynamic Measure of Mind Body Health and Intervention EffectivenessThe ability to walk while simultaneously performing additional cognitive tasks (i.e., dual tasking) relies on a complex control system that integrates multiple sensory modalities, spinal and supraspinal neural networks, and the peripheral neuromuscular system. Accordingly, assessments of dual-task gait offer unique and valuable insights into mind–body health across the lifespan. These assessments are also particularly sensitive to the beneficial effects of Tai Chi and other mind–body interventions. Traditionally, dual-task gait testing has required specialized equipment and trained personnel to administer assessments in laboratory or clinical environments. As a result, such tests are performed infrequently and are often inaccessible to many vulnerable populations. To address this limitation, we developed and validated a smartphone app that enables self-administration of normal and dual-task walking by leveraging the phone’s ability to deliver multimedia instructions and record motion while placed in the user’s pants pocket. A series of studies have since demonstrated the app’s usability, as well as the validity and test–retest reliability of several gait-performance metrics in younger adults and in older adults both with and without physical or motor impairments. This talk will provide a brief overview of these developmental studies, discuss the advantages and limitations of this new gait-assessment tool, and highlight several successful examples of its implementation in clinical research involving vulnerable older adults.
Presented By:
The Neuroscience of Mind-Body Therapies for Brain HealthMind-body therapies (yoga, meditation, tai chi) improve brain health by enhancing the connection between cortical networks, which manage thought and planning, and bodily control centers, along with reducing stress and improving psychological resilience and mental and physical health. These mind-body practices promote neuroplasticity, reverse cellular aging, reduce chronic stress, modulate autonomic functions via vagal tone enhancement, and reduce inflammation, thus improving the Whole Person Health and boosting resilience and well-being.This presentation will review the evidence supporting the use of Tai Chi for treatment and prevention of neuropsychiatric, physical and mental disorders of aging, and its contribution to brain health. Participants will learn about neurophysiological changes that occur with Tai Chi and other mind-body practices, as well as clinical applications of these practices for treatment and prevention of the neuropsychiatric disorders of aging.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 10:10 - 10:20 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 01 Closing |
|||||||||||
| 10:20 - 11:05 - Poster Session | |||||||||||
Poster Session 01 & Refreshment Break |
|||||||||||
| 11:05 - 12:05 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Oral Abstract Session 01: Mind-Body Movement for Cardiometabolic Risk, Mental Health, and Interoception
OA01.01
Tai Chi Exercise is More Effective Than Brisk Walking in Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Adults with Hypertension: An RCT Sek Ying Chair - The Chinese University of Hong Kong [bio]
Professor Chair Sek Ying is now the Vice-Director of Research and the Head of Graduate Division of the Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Co-Chair of the International Council of Nurses Advanced Practice Nursing Network.
OA01.02 Tai Chi effects on stress and cardiovascular function in heart disease/hypertension: randomized trial Guoyan (Emily) Yang - NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University [bio]
Dr. Guoyan (Emily) Yang, MMed, PhD, is an Adjunct Research Fellow at National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on evaluating complementary and integrative medicine therapies, particularly Tai Chi-based interventions for health and wellbeing, in the management of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, and mental disorders. Her expertise includes clinical trials, systematic reviews, mixed methods, qualitative studies, and guidelines.
Dr. Yang has published over 80 research papers in peer-reviewed journals (Google Scholar total citations: 3296, h-index: 33) and been recognized as the prestigious Stanford University and Elseviers Worlds Top 2% Scientists in 2022. She has presented her research findings in numerous domestic and international conferences. Dr Yang is a member of many professional organisations, such as the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research, Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association, Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia, and the Tai Chi Association of Australia. She is the Executive Editor of Advances in Integrative Medicine, serves on the editorial boards of the European Journal of Integrative Medicine and the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, and serves as reviewers of several peer-reviewed journals.
As a Tai Chi master and health researcher with 19 years of teaching experience and the President of Boyuan Tai Chi for Health Association, she integrates deep academic insight with hands-on practice, drawing on eight years research on Tai Chi for health conducted in China and ten years in Australia. Dr Yang teaches Tai Chi at the Next Practice Western Sydney Integrative Health clinic, part of the National Health Research Institute (NICM) at Western Sydney University. Through the Boyuan Tai Chi for Health Association, a non-for-profit organisation, she also leads multiple community classes, promoting wellness and mind-body movement. Her dedication to public education is evident in more than 30 health talks delivered at libraries and community organisations, where she shares practical strategies for holistic health and wellbeing.
OA01.03 Improvements in Pain and Interoception After a 6-Week Interoception-Based Yoga Intervention for Chronic Pain Stephanie Voss - Mass General Brigham [bio]
Stephanie is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Pain Research as Mass General Brigham. She merges her clinical background in Occupational Therapy, graduate training in Kinesiology and her yoga teaching experience to inform her research examining the role of interoception in chronic pain and the benefits of yoga for pain management.
OA01.04 Technology-Enabled Tai Chi and Qigong as a Scalable Alternative to CBT for Elderly Mental Health: A Comparative Pilot Study Bingwen Wang - Duke University [bio]
Dr.Wang is a researcher who focuses on Taichi and Qigong's benefits on the elderly's mental disorders
|
|||||||||||
Symposium01: Consciousness, Sleep, and Aging Clocks: Neural and Molecular Signatures of Healthy Aging in Advanced Meditation PractitionersAdvanced meditation may slow both biological and brain aging, but scientific evidence for its impact on multi-system measures of aging is limited. In this session, Dr. Sun will present sleep EEG based brain age findings showing younger neurophysiological profiles in meditators. Dr. Holay will share plasma proteomics data revealing immune-regulatory pathways and the development of a proteomic aging clock that complements brain metrics. Dr. Subramaniam will integrate these perspectives, exploring clinical and scientific implications of combining molecular and neural biomarkers. Together, the presenters will illustrate how intensive meditation may foster systemic resilience, longevity, and expanded states of consciousness, aligning ancient contemplative practices with cutting-edge aging research.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 02: Graceful Transitions: Tai Chi and Qigong for Menopausal HealthMenopause marks a profound physiological and psychological transition, with hormonal changes that often create sleep disruption, mood disturbance, musculoskeletal pain, and declining bone density. Tai Chi and Qigong offer evidence-based, low-cost, and accessible interventions that address these challenges holistically. Research demonstrates improvements in sleep, stress, anxiety, depression, balance, strength, and flexibility, alongside reductions in pain and fracture risk. This session will explore the mechanisms underlying these benefits, from autonomic regulation to bio-mechanical conditioning, and highlight their relevance for integrative, whole-person health care. Participants will gain insights into the Chinese medical approach to this phase in a womans life, current research, practical applications, and ways these practices can be incorporated into clinical and community settings to support women's health during and after menopause.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 12:05 - 13:30 | |||||||||||
Lunch On Own |
|||||||||||
| 12:05 - 12:45 | |||||||||||
Interactive Session:Experiencing Traditional Tai Chi and Qigong: Core Training Principles for Back Pain and Whole-Person Health This interactive session offers a guided, experiential exploration of how traditional Tai Chi and Qigong training support back pain relief and whole-person health. Rather than emphasizing form choreography or stylistic variation, participants will experience core training ingredients commonly found in traditional curricula—stillness, awareness, intentional movement, and their integration, which together cultivate stability, agility, and effortless, powerful movement.
Through simple, accessible practices, the session highlights a "no pain, more gain" approach, with progressive dosage illustrated primarily through back pain as a clear and familiar application. The underlying principles are broadly relevant to Tai Chi and Qigong practice, research design, and instruction across populations.
A brief discussion connects embodied experience with emerging research on pain, function, sleep, stress, and long-term practice adherence, offering practical insight into how training structure and quality may influence outcomes.
Experiencing Traditional Tai Chi and Qigong: Core Training Principles for Back Pain and Whole-Person Health
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 13:30 - 14:30 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Oral Abstract Session 02: Tai Chi and Qigong for Sleep, Mood, and Pain
OA02.01
Effect of Combined Tai Chi and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Sleep Disturbance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial Jiali He - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University [bio]
After completing my PhD degree, I am continuing to pursue postdoctoral training at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. My research interest has been on translational neuroscience and its application to integrative medicine and rehabilitation, especially sleep and related disorders.
OA02.02 Qigong for Older Adults with Mild Depressive Symptoms Compared to Mindfulness, Physical Exercise, and Waitlist: Efficacy and Neurobiological Changes Erin Yiqing Lu - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University [bio]
Dr. Erin Lu received her PhD in Psychology from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Since her postdoctoral training, she has cultivated a research interest in mind-body exercise for mental health. Dr. Lu developed expertise in the effects of health qigong on depressive symptoms, stress management, and cognitive functioning.
OA02.03 Mental Health Outcomes Associated with Holistic Interventions for Veterans with Gulf War Illness and Chronic Pain: Tai Chi and Wellness Promotion Barbara Niles - National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Medicine [bio]
Dr. Niles is a staff Research Psychologist at the National Center for PTSD Behavioral Science Division at VA Boston Healthcare System and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Her primary research focus is on the development of health enhancement and coping interventions
OA02.04 Virtual Tai Chi and Qigong for Low Back Pain: Results of a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial Yang Yang - Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies [bio]
Yang Yang, PhD, is a traditionally trained Tai Chi and Qigong master from China and founder of the Center for Taiji & Qigong Studies. He led a 350-participant RCT, published in NASSJ, evaluating the first online, integrated Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation program for back pain and related clinical outcomes.
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 03: Longevity Medicine: The Promise of Mind-Body Therapies for Frailty PreventionFrailty is a multidimensional syndrome of aging marked by vulnerability and loss of resilience. Movement-based mindbody practices such as tai chi, qigong, and yoga are uniquely multimodal, integrating physical, cognitive, and psychosocial components that target multiple hallmarks of aging simultaneously. This symposium will review emerging evidence on how these practices impact longevity, frailty biology and physiology, highlight sex-specific considerations in frailty prevention, and discuss practical strategies for implementation. Presenters will synthesize geroscience, clinical research, and lifestyle medicine frameworks to propose an integrative model of frailty prevention through mindbody approaches.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 04: Tai Chi for Young Adults: Current Evidence, Opportunities, and Future DirectionsThis session explores the benefits of Tai Chi for promoting psychosocial and physical wellbeing among younger adults. Drawing on a robust body of research, including our pilot randomized controlled trial, two qualitative studies, a systematic review, and a co-design study. We will share findings on feasibility, acceptability, and impact of Tai Chi on stress, anxiety, mood, social support, and physical function. Insights on participants motivation and satisfaction with Tai Chi programs will also be discussed. We will explore innovative digital delivery models and examine opportunities to embed Tai Chi within university, workplace, and community health promotion initiatives. To close, participants will experience a brief 5-minute Tai Chi sampler followed by an interactive 5-minute Q&A, providing a practical and engaging conclusion to the session.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 14:45 - 15:45 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Experiential Session 01ES01.01 | Tai Chi & Qigong for Children: Importance for Children to Learn Tai Chi & Qigong
Presented By:
ES01.02 | Real Life Implementations of Qigong & TaiChi Programs for Children, Adapted for Different Age Groups, Student Profiles and Special Needs
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 05: Tai Chi for Cardiovascular Health: Evidence, Experience, and State of the ArtThis session presents a state-of-the art review of Tai Chi as a cardioprotective intervention, with examples from our one systematic review, two randomised controlled trials and three qualitative studies in the past decade. We will explore the benefits of Tai Chi on autonomic regulation, physical function, psychosocial wellbeing, and quality of life. The session will highlight the evidence base, potential mechanisms of action, patient perspectives, and proposed strategies for integrating Tai Chi into conventional cardiac care, including remote delivery models. We aim to deepen understanding of Tai Chis role in cardiovascular health and inspire future research and practice.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 06:Developing your Meditative Movement Research CareerTai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) hold promise for building resilience to chronic stress and pain, yet rigorous trials for outcomes such as depressive symptoms and emotional well-being are lacking. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) seeks to support research on how TCQ can affect resilience. This symposium will provide an overview of NCCIHs framework for clinical research and the importance of feasibility testing to inform future research. Two funded grantees who are developing TCQ interventions for components of resilience will discuss their studies and lessons learned. The projects include: a feasibility study of remotely-delivered TCQ for older adults living with HIV that informed a funded efficacy trial, and a feasibility study of remotely-delivered TCQ for adults with spinal cord injury currently underway.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 16:00 - 17:20 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 02: Leveraging Technology in TCQ Research and ImplementationIncreasingly the distinction between the traditional practices of TCQ and the modern tools of science are dissolving. This session will highlight the opportunities afforded by the interaction between high-tech and the soft touch human aspects of mind-body therapies in research and implementation. Examples of this include wearable sensors that interrogate physiology, powerful AI tools, and platforms that increase access to mind-body interventions.
Mind-Body Interventions in the Age of AI: Balancing Opportunities and Threats, Today and TomorrowThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies into the science and practice of mind–body interventions such as Tai Chi and Qigong is reshaping how we understand, deliver, and evaluate prevention and treatment. Mind–body interventions engage complex multisystem physiology that can now be explored through wearable, in-home, and ecological sensing technologies. To translate this wealth of data into meaningful insight, new digital and data competencies are needed across disciplines and professions. AI-driven tools create opportunities for interprofessional and human–AI care teams to collaborate in prevention and personalized care. Yet realizing this potential requires inter- and transdisciplinary participation — linking clinicians, researchers and patients in the co-design of tools that are user-centric, trustworthy, and inclusive. Participatory approaches ensure that innovation aligns with the lived experience of both patients and practitioners, preserving the human connection that defines mind–body practice. Trust, transparency, and ethical stewardship are essential to guide this transformation. As digital twins — a virtual replica of a patient using real-time clinical and physiological data. — emerge, they promise unprecedented precision in understanding and optimizing Tai Chi and Qigong interventions. At the same time, they raise critical questions about data ownership, equity, and the role of human expertise. This talk will also explore how inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration can shape a responsible digital future for mind–body interventions: one where data, technology, and human wisdom converge to advance prevention and treatment for the whole person
Presented By:
Safeguarding the Gift of Movement: Technology for Preventing and Treating Motor ImpairmentMovement is fundamental to independence, health, and overall well-being, yet many older adults experience motor impairments that significantly limit daily function. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, and age-related muscle weakness are among the most common contributors to loss of motor abilities. As the population ages, preventing motor decline and providing effective, accessible rehabilitation have become urgent priorities.This talk explores emerging technologies designed to safeguard motor abilities by enabling both proactive prevention and responsive intervention. Advances in wearable technology, digital biomarkers, robotics, and AI-driven data analytics are transforming our ability to detect early signs of motor deterioration, often before clinical symptoms are evident. These tools provide continuous, real-world assessment of gait, balance, physical activity, and joint function, allowing clinicians to identify risks for falls, functional decline, or worsening of chronic conditions. Equally important are new models of home-based rehabilitation that bring personalized therapy beyond the clinic. Intelligent exercise-coaching platforms, remote monitoring systems, and rehabilitation robots support engaging, adaptive training that can be delivered in the comfort of an individual’s home. These technologies extend the reach of clinicians, promote long-term adherence, and provide older adults with interventions tailored to their goals, abilities, and daily environments. For individuals recovering from stroke or managing chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and stroke, such home-centered solutions can dramatically improve access to therapy and support sustained functional gains. By integrating insights from biomechanics, neuroengineering, and clinical rehabilitation, this presentation highlights how technology can help preserve the “gift of movement” across the aging continuum. We will discuss the current state of innovation, barriers to widespread adoption, and a vision for future systems that seamlessly detect risk, deliver timely intervention, and empower older adults to maintain mobility and independence throughout life.
Presented By:
Showcase Speaker: Tele-Tai Chi: Use of Wearable Sensors and Machine Learning to Monitor Tai Chi Proficiency in the Home Environment
Presented By:
Showcase Speaker:Tai Chi Monitoring with Motion Capture: A Comparative Analysis and XR Integration Background
Presented By:
Showcase Speaker: The Use of Home Sleep Monitoring and Mind-Body Apps in Insomnia
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 17:20 - 17:30 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Reflections on the Day |
|||||||||||
| 17:30 - 19:00 - Reception | |||||||||||
Networking ReceptionJoin fellow conference participants for an early evening social.
|
|||||||||||
Friday, May 1
| 07:30 - 08:15 - Breakfast | |||||||||||
Continental Breakfast |
|||||||||||
| 07:30 - 17:30 - Registration | |||||||||||
Registration & Information Desk |
|||||||||||
| 08:30 - 08:45 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Welcoming Remarks |
|||||||||||
| 08:45 - 10:05 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 03: TCQ and Integrative OncologyIn every phase of cancer care, from diagnosis, to course of treatment, to long-term symptoms of survivors, the cancer journey impacts the whole person in every aspect of life. TCQ shows great promise in managing this rich and complex constellation of factors. This session will introduce models for integrative oncology that draw upon the wisdom of TCQ practices and emphasize whole person health.
Whole Person Cancer CareWhole person cancer care involves learning what matters most to patients and engaging them in health and wellness behaviors that influence their quality of life and longevity as the cancer is treated. Such care explicitly addresses mind-body-behavior-social and spiritual aspects of a person’s life. This helps oncology teams manage the fear and confusion that come along with the disease, helps patients become empowered in their own care, helps oncology teams find greater joy in their work by connecting more deeply with patients, and reintegrates healing into medicine.In this talk we will define whole person cancer care and illustrate how this type of care can be advanced oncology. We summarize the science behind whole person care and the evidence that supports its application. With case studies and data, we will describe how it’s being done from small clinics to large institutions. Finally, we will introduce some tools and resources available that oncologists, cancer care teams, and people with cancer can incorporate into their own healing journey.
Presented By:
Integrative Oncology: Whole Person Care for People with CancerDr. Mao's presentation on integrative oncology will delve into the definition of this holistic approach to cancer care and the therapeutic interventions it encompasses. By emphasizing the significance of research in developing evidence-informed practices, Dr. Mao will underscore the importance of integrating complementary therapies with conventional cancer treatments. Specific highlights will include the benefits and efficacy of Tai Chi as well as the role of digital health interventions in enhancing patient outcomes. Through this presentation, attendees will gain insights into the evolving landscape of integrative oncology, the role of evidence-based practices, and emerging concept of whole person care for people with cancer.
Presented By:
Integrating Mind-Body Movement into the Cancer Journey
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 10:05 - 10:15 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 03 Closing |
|||||||||||
| 10:15 - 11:00 - Poster Session | |||||||||||
Poster Session 02 & Refreshment Break |
|||||||||||
| 11:00 - 12:00 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Oral Abstract Session 03: Tai Chi and Qigong for Muskuloskeletal Pain and Supportive Cancer Care
OA03.01
Online unsupervised Tai Chi intervention for people with knee osteoarthritis - The Retreat randomised controlled trial Julia Zhu [bio]
Dr Julia Zhu is a research physiotherapist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine (CHESM), University of Melbourne. She completed her PhD at CHESM, where her work focused on the development and evaluation of an online unsupervised Tai Chi intervention for people with knee osteoarthritis (the RETREAT trial). Her research interests centre on non-surgical care for people with chronic conditions, and on bridging the gap between research and clinical practice to achieve real-world impact through technology and innovation. She has a particular interest in mindbody exercise and its effects on the individual as a whole. Dr Zhu is a guideline working group member for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. She is also a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (ACP) and an Early Career Fellow of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI).
OA03.02 How Tai Chi Intervention Improves Clinical Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors: Preliminary Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial Sek Ying Chair - The Chinese University of Hong Kong [bio]
Professor Chair Sek Ying is now the Vice-Director of Research and the Head of Graduate Division of the Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Co-Chair of the International Council of Nurses Advanced Practice Nursing Network.
OA03.03 Tai Chi and Aerobic Exercise on Cancer-Related Pain in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial Naomi Takemura - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University [bio]
Dr. Naomi Takemura is an Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A registered nurse, her research focuses on non‑pharmacological and behavioral medicine interventions, with particular emphasis on advancing symptom management and improving quality of life among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
OA03.04 Tai Chi for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Evidence-Based Trial Design Mingxiao Yang - Nanyang Technological University [bio]
Dr. Mingxiao Yang is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biological Sciences and the NTU Chinese Medicine Clinic at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. His work focuses on the evidence-based application of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, particularly in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 07: Tai Chi as Exergaming: Technology Development, Feasibility as a Home Exercise, and Cognitive-Tissue Elasticity Mechanism in Promoting HealthThis session explores the innovative integration of Tai Chi with exergaming technology for home-based exercise, focusing on older adults and clinical populations. We examine the feasibility of using digital platforms to deliver Tai Chi, emphasizing the cognitive and tissue elasticity mechanisms that contribute to health improvements. The presentation will highlight the role of fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) in assessing cognitive function and using shear-wave elastography to measure tissue elasticity during Tai Chi practice. Our recent research findings on cognitive function, tissue elasticity, and physical well-being will be shared. Practical challenges, user acceptance, and measurable health outcomes will be discussed. Interactive demonstrations will illustrate how exergaming can expand Tai Chi's reach to homebound individuals while supporting both mental and physical health.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 08: Integrative Oncology, Anywhere: Scalable Qi Gong and Yoga Models with Innovative Implementation, Access and Reimbursement SolutionsThis session will explore the innovative implementation of virtual and hybrid Qi Gong and yoga therapy models for oncology patients within academic integrative medicine settings. Drawing from two recent peer-reviewed publications, we will examine real-world clinical workflows, including delivery via 1:1 and Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) formats, documentation, billing for insurance reimbursement, and program evaluation. Presenters—a physician researcher, a certified Qi Gong instructor, and a Hanna somatic yoga educator—will share case studies, implementation strategies, and engage participants in brief experiential practices. This session aims to equip clinicians, administrators, and researchers with practical tools to expand equitable access to mind-body therapies in oncology care.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 12:00 - 13:15 - Special Session | |||||||||||
Special Lunch Session: Planetary Healing Through Contemplative Mind-Body Traditions, Ecology, and CommunitySpace is limited, and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration and payment is required. Boxed lunch is provided.
This symposium will explore the inseparability of individual, community, and planetary health through the lens of East Asian (Taoist) and Dharmic (Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism) contemplative traditions, alongside contemporary science and health care practice. Bringing together scholars and practitioners, the session will examine how principles such as interdependence, balance and harmony, sacred relationship to Earth and ahimsa (non-violence), offer enduring frameworks for ecological and human flourishing. Drawing explicit connections to Tai Chi and Qigong, the symposium will highlight how the ethics and mind-body practices of these traditions embody ecological wisdom at the level of values, the human body, communities, and the planet. Through interdisciplinary perspectives—from theology and philosophy to neuroscience, sustainability, and integrative health—participants will gain practical and conceptual tools to reimagine healing as an inherently ecological endeavor, grounded in community, contemplative practice, and mindful stewardship of the natural world.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 12:00 - 13:30 | |||||||||||
Lunch On Own |
|||||||||||
| 13:30 - 14:30 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Oral Abstract Session 04: Tai Chi and Qigong for Neurological and Age-Related Conditions
OA04.01
Seated Tai Chi: A Promising Approach to Improve Hand Function and Stability in Parkinson's Disease William W.N. Tsang - N&HS, HKMU [bio]
William is an esteemed physiotherapist with extensive clinical experience across various sectors, specializing in geriatric physiotherapy. Before joining Hong Kong Metropolitan University as a faculty member, he was the Associate Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Currently, William serves as the Associate Dean (Development and Strategic Relationships) in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
Renowned for his postural control and preventative exercise research, William has made significant contributions to the scientific understanding of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Western exercises like golf. His numerous publications highlight the importance of exercise in enhancing postural and balance control for older adults, stroke survivors, and cancer patients. Additionally, he has researched fall prevention programs for individuals with mild cognitive impairment. His recent research interest focuses on gerontechnology.
OA04.02 The Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on the Risk and Fear of Falling in Older Adults: a Randomized Clinical Trial Mohammadreza Yousefi - Mashhad Medical University [bio]
I am Mohammad Reza Yousefi, a master's degree holder in geriatric nursing. My thesis was on Tai Chi, and I became familiar with this sport.
OA04.03 Barriers and Facilitators to Use of Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis in Large Healthcare Systems: A Qualitative Study Eric Roseen - Boston Medical Center OA04.04 Engagement with an Online Qigong Program Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study Zhen Zheng - Nanyang Technological University [bio]
Dr Zheng is a registered Chinese Medicine practitioner, educator, and pain researcher with over 20 years experience. She leads multidisciplinary teams integrating acupuncture into emergency care and developing Qi Gong programs for Long COVID. Passionate about whole-person health, she drives system and policy change through research and collaboration.
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 09: Developing Tai Chi and Qigong Interventions to Enhance ResilienceTai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) hold promise for building resilience to chronic stress and pain, yet rigorous trials for outcomes such as depressive symptoms and emotional well-being are lacking. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) seeks to support research on how TCQ can affect resilience. This symposium will provide an overview of NCCIH's framework for clinical research and the importance of feasibility testing to inform future research. Two funded grantees who are developing TCQ interventions for components of resilience will discuss their studies and lessons learned. The projects include: a feasibility study of remotely-delivered TCQ for older adults living with HIV that informed a funded efficacy trial, and a feasibility study of remotely-delivered TCQ for adults with spinal cord injury currently underway.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 10: Mind-Body Regulation Through Tai Chi: Advancing Symptom Management in Cancer SurvivorshipThis session will explore Tai Chi as a mindbody approach to cancer survivorship, emphasizing the interplay between psychological regulation and physical mechanisms in managing complex symptom clusters. Tai Chi combines gentle, structured movements with meditative focus and controlled breathing, promoting both physiological adaptation and psychological resilience. Presenters will examine evidence for Tai Chis impact on pain, neuropathy, sleep disturbance, mood, and fatigue, highlighting its ability to disrupt the reinforcing cycle of sleep problems, pain, and psychological distress common among cancer survivors. Special attention will be given to breast cancer survivors experiencing aromatase inhibitorrelated arthralgia and patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), illustrating how Tai Chi can modulate both pathophysiological processes and mindbody regulatory pathways relevant to these populations.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 14:45 - 15:45 - Concurrent Sessions | |||||||||||
Experiential Session 02ES02.01 | QiGong and Forgiveness for People Living with Cancer
Presented By:
ES02.02 | The Synergy Between Tai Chi and Alexander Technique Training
Presented By:
ES02.03 | Second Spring: a Chinese Medicine Approach to Perimenopause and Menopause, and Integrated Supportive Qigong
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 11: Tai Chi and Qigong in Support of Whole Person Health: VHA Implementation Past, Present, and FutureThis presentation will discuss the implementation of tai chi and qigong (TCQG) in the Veterans Health Administration as a part of the Whole Health System of care. Discussions will focus on: 1. Policy and background supporting inclusion of TCQG in the largest integrated healthcare system in the US 2. Barriers and facilitators (examples: training, hiring) 3. The development of a qualification standard that identifies the Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor as a stand-alone profession for hiring 4. Encounter and referral growth of TCQG delivery in-person, via telehealth and in the community. 5. Presentation of the newly published Tai Chi/Qigong Evidence Map (2025) and discussion of how clinicians may use the map to inform treatment plans that include TCQG Methods for community TCQG providers to join the community care network.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
Symposium 12: Quantifying Taijiquan Martial Skill Progression with Wearable Sensors for Clinical and Training ApplicationsTaijiquan integrates fluid movement, meditative focus, and biomechanics, enhancing holistic health and martial proficiency. While its health benefits are well-studied, biomechanical markers of martial skill progression remain underexplored. This panel, comprising Taijiquan practitioners, healthcare providers, and engineers, will review recent findings on foot pressure dynamics as quantitative indicators of skill, supported by high-resolution sensor data. We will demonstrate wearable sensor platforms (e.g., pressure mats) to capture ground reaction forces and torque during standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang). Live demonstrations will showcase real-time skill assessment, with audience participation to experience the technology. The discussion will explore applications in randomized clinical trials, rehabilitation, and personalized training, bridging traditional Taijiquan pedagogy with evidence-based health interventions.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 15:45 - 16:00 - Break | |||||||||||
Refreshment Break |
|||||||||||
| 16:00 - 17:20 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Plenary Session 04: Research at the Frontier: Fascia, Fluids, and BiofieldsReports of "extraordinary" impacts of Tai Chi and Qigong across multiple key domains of physical psychological and spiritual health are not uncommon, and likely include frontier phenomena in science that are not yet fully developed. In this session, we will highlight three different dimensions at this frontier, including research into connective tissue and the interstitium that connects everything in the body, emerging paradigms described as mitochondrial psychobiology, and provocative research evaluating the impact of energy-based, non-touch gifted healers in cancer patients.
Connective tissue and interoception: emerging links and potential impact on understanding whole person health.Interoception is a fundamental biological interface between brain and body that is central to whole person physiology, while connective tissue forms a body-wide network interfacing with all body organs and systems. Research advances in both interoception and connective tissue are gaining momentum as exciting new techniques and research methods are being developed. Although so far the two fields are mostly separate, exciting links are beginning to emerge between connective tissue and interoception that could have a profound impact on our understanding of whole person health.
Presented By:
Mitochondria, Energy Resistance, and the Healing ProcessThis presentation will describe the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP). This principle reveals how similar to the way in which resistance is required to convert electricity into power within physical systems, biological transformation requires resistance to energy flow through the biological and metabolic circuitry of our body. However, excessive resistance to energy flow drives the molecular signals, biochemical recalibrations, and behavioral phenotypes of common chronic illnesses. Health, then, is the fine-tuning of energy resistance through mitochondria and other elements of the body-mind unit. Over time, the healing process emerges from the regular, rhythmic shifts between low and high energy resistance.
Presented By:
Energy Therapies in Oncology: Mechanistic Insights and Implications for Cancer CareExternal Qigong and other biofield therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and Bengston Cycling are increasingly used in integrative oncology, yet remain controversial due to the absence of widely accepted mechanisms. This presentation will review the state of science on these interventions, focusing on preclinical and translational research that explores their biological plausibility. Evidence from rigorous cell and animal studies suggests that biofield therapies can influence cancer-relevant processes, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, while modulating cell cycle regulators, membrane voltage potential, and cytoskeletal dynamics. These findings point to possible bioelectrochemical and signaling pathways involved in tumor progression.The session will also highlight novel approaches using simultaneous electrophysiological recordings in practitioners and targets, revealing reproducible changes in EEG patterns during treatment and intriguing correlations with cellular markers and mouse EEGs. While these results suggest complex practitioner–target interactions, they underscore methodological challenges. Discussion will focus on emerging hypotheses involving electromagnetic fields, biophotons, and consciousness-based models. Attendees will gain insight into why this research matters for integrative oncology and the steps being taken to strengthen scientific rigor, paving the way for future studies that bridge traditional practices like Qigong with modern biomedical science.
Presented By:
|
|||||||||||
| 17:20 - 17:30 - Plenary | |||||||||||
Closing Remarks |
|||||||||||
Evening Event
| Thursday, April 30 - 17:30 - 19:00 - Reception | |
Networking ReceptionJoin fellow conference participants for an early evening social.
|
|
No Results Found


