World Parkinson Day 2026: Parkinson Boxing and Tai Chi – Second Edition of China-Netherlands Collaboration

On April 11, World Parkinson's Day, a cross-border medical collaboration took place for the second time at Bengbu Central Hospital. Experts from the Dutch NVGF Rehabilitation Association worked with the hospital's medical team, using a combined "Parkinson boxing + tai chi" approach that blends Chinese and Western methods to create a new path for Parkinson's rehabilitation.

The event showcased the "Parkinson Boxing and Tai Chi Exercise Therapy" program, developed over several years by both sides. This therapy combines the explosive power of Western boxing with the flexibility of Chinese tai chi, moving beyond traditional rehabilitation methods. It also integrates TCM principles, forming a unique model that combines both medical traditions. Tai chi's "spiral movement" activates core muscles and reduces gait freezing, while boxing training helps relieve limb stiffness.

During the event, Parkinson's patients in China and the Netherlands, 9,000 kilometers apart, exercised together via video link to the rhythm of the music.

Marcus Janssen, expert at NVGF and representative of Medisport Rehabilitation Center from the Netherlands, is the initiator of the Parkinson Boxing and Tai-Chi method. He sees how tai chi and boxing improve symptoms of his clients. He mentioned that years of cooperation with Bengbu Central Hospital have opened new opportunities for rehabilitation, and he hopes to continue working together to benefit Parkinson's patients around the world.

These International Parkinson's Day collaboration events have gained recognition both in China and abroad. This was the second edition of the event, following the first in 2024, and it now serves as a regular platform for health and cultural exchange between the two countries.