"I didn't expect that the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine could be so amazing. I feel really good after the treatment. I hope I can go to China to learn about it!" On April 11, the “World Parkinson's Disease Day”, Peter, a Parkinson's disease patient from the Netherlands, marveled at the treatment experience and said those on the large screen of the History Museum of Central Hospital of Bengbu.

An hour ago, a special "remote consultation" took place here.

“Keep your feet parallel to each other and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart..." Marcus, an expert of Nederlandse Vereniging voor Geïntegreerde Fysiotherapie (NVGF), was instructing Li Li, a nearly sixty-year-old Parkinson's disease patient, on her “punching” posture. Beside Li Li were Marcus, Yang Yongfei, president of Central Hospital of Bengbu, and several other Parkinson's disease patients. On the TV screen in front of them, ten Dutch patients were actively engaged in Tai Chi practice. The local Dutch television station reported on this "remote consultation" simultaneously.

Why is Marcus, a Dutchman with blue eyes and fair skin, qualified to guide Chinese people in practicing Tai Chi?

"The doctors at Central Hospital of Bengbu have taught me many Tai Chi moves and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) knowledge," Marcus said in a booming voice with his eyebrows lifting. He added "based on multiple rounds of learning, communication, and coordination, we have worked with Central Hospital of Bengbu to develop the 'Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment of Boxing and Tai Chi for Parkinson's Disease'. Boxing can help patients improve their strength and coordination, while Tai Chi, which originated in China, can significantly enhance patients' balance ability with its gentle movements."

David, president of NVGF, stated, "Over the past year, the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy has undergone clinical trials at 10 rehabilitation institutions in the Netherlands. Pilot data shows an 85% improvement rate in patients' balance ability, with significant alleviation of anxiety symptoms. The safety and efficacy have been verified, which not only facilitates the establishment of treatment standards but also promotes the adoption of the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy in the Netherlands."

Today's "fruits" stem from the "seeds" of collaboration planted long ago. In 2022, as part of the events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands, the two nations jointly launched research on the scientific cognitive therapy for pain. This fostered the beginning of a partnership between NVGF and Central Hospital of Bengbu. The newly released integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine exercise therapy for Parkinson's disease is one of the outcomes of this cooperation.

"This year, the therapy will be promoted across 130 rehabilitation institutions in the Netherlands," said David. He noted that with increasingly diversified global health demands and growing challenges in public health and disease prevention and control, the coordinated development of traditional Chinese and Western medicine could better serve global human health needs.

Yang Yongfei introduced: "since the beginning of collaboration, we have provided online and offline medical consultations for nearly 100 patients from the Netherlands, France and other countries and regions, and conducted 30 international remote consultations, accelerating the pace of 'going global' of TCM.”

(Reporter: Peng Yuanyuan, He Ke)