Tai chi, an ancient, "internal" Chinese martial art focused on slow, intentional movements, may help curb the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for several years, a new study from China shows. About Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symptoms such as slowness of movement, resting tremors and stiff muscles. Key findings: Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine found that patients who practiced tai chi twice a week for an hour showed a slower disease progression and less complications than those who did not.