The Science of Tai Chi & Qigong as Whole Person Health: Deepening Our Physiological Understanding of the Mind-Body Connection

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The two-day scientific conference entitled, "The Science of Tai Chi & Qigong as Whole Person Health: Deepening our Physiological Understanding of Mind-Body Integration” will be held at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA on April 30-May 1, 2026. The key goals of this conference are to provide a forum for active dissemination of the current evidence base of Tai Chi, Qigong and related mind-body practices (TCQMB), and exploration and thoughtful dialogue on cross-relevant topics integral to the understanding of physiological mechanisms and the impact of mind-body movement in whole person health within the future of healthcare. The primary sponsor of this conference will be the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This scientific conference will build upon the success and momentum of the first-of-its-kind, inaugural conference in 2023 that showcased TCQMB in a rigorous academic setting. This upcoming 2026 conference aims to attract a heterogeneous group of international research scholars, practitioners, healthcare administrators and policymakers to engage in a deeper dive into the science. The conference program will include four plenary panel sessions from leaders in the field focused on the following themes in the context of TCQMB: 1) Aging Brain, Aging Body, and Mind-Body Health; 2) Leveraging Technology in Research and Implementation; 3) Cancer and Integrative Oncology; and 4) Research at the Frontier: Fascia, Fluids, Mitochondria, and Biofields. These plenary panels will each include complementary 20-30 minute plenary presentations followed by an extended panel discussion including audience participation. A Call for Sessions will solicit additional concomitant one-hour ‘breakout’ symposia sessions with priority to the following topics: i. remote delivery/virtual platforms/telehealth, use of wearable sensors, and other biotechnology; ii. Impact of TCQMB on neural, physiological, and biomechanical biomarkers of interoception and resilience; iii. TCQMB for specific populations (e.g., stroke, pediatrics, cancer); iv. TCQMB as part of multicomponent interventions; v. Citizen science, big data, and AI. In addition, we will solicit high-quality scientific abstracts with opportunity for both junior and established investigators to present oral and poster presentations. An international Scientific Review Committee, composed of external reviewers, will employ a rigorous peer review process to ensure rigor and relevance of research. Marketing efforts will aim to target a broad audience nationally and internationally with conference content relevant across the broad field of mind-body medicine. Our overarching Conference Aims are 1) To provide an international forum for researchers to disseminate scientific findings relevant to TCQ and related mind- body practices, assess the evidence base in the context of whole person health, and shape the future research agenda, and 2) To foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration to develop innovative strategies that address current challenges in mind-body research, dissemination and implementation.