Effectiveness of Tai chi exercise on overall quality of life and its physical and psychological components among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

With the aging of the world's population, the quality of life of older adults is becoming more important. There are many studies on the use of Tai chi exercise, a popular form of mind-body exercise practiced by older adults. However, the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise on the quality of life of older adults is unclear. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, six databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, CNKI) were searched in English and Chinese languages to screen for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT), and their risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers. The results of quality of life, physical component, and psychological component among older adults were meta-analyzed using RevMan5.3 software. The search retrieved 2577 records. After screening, a total of 10 RCTs were included in this evaluation, with a total of 1170 participants. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, Tai chi exercise had a significant impact on the overall quality of life (SMD=1.23; 95%CI: 0.56-1.98; P<0.0001), and on the physical component of quality of life (MD=5.90; 95%CI: 1.05-10.75; P=0.02), but no significant impact on the psychological component of quality of life. This study had high heterogeneity. The results of this study suggest the potential use of Tai chi exercise as an activity for increased quality of life in older adults. Future research may enhance experimental rigor and explore the rationale behind Tai chi exercise.

Tai Chi exercise and functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles for rehabilitation in older adults with chronic systolic heart failure: a non-randomized clinical trial

Exercise-based training decreases hospitalizations in heart failure patients but such patients have exercise intolerance. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of Tai Chi exercise and lower limb muscles' functional electrical stimulation in older chronic heart failure adults. A total of 1,084 older adults with chronic systolic heart failure were included in a non-randomized clinical trial (n=271 per group). The control group did not receive any kind of intervention, one group received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles (FES group), another group practiced Tai Chi exercise (TCE group), and another received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles and practiced Tai Chi exercise (FES & TCE group). Quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of all patients were evaluated. Compared to the control group, only FES group had increased Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (P<0.0001, q=9.06), only the TCE group had decreased heart rate (P<0.0001, q=5.72), and decreased peak oxygen consumption was reported in the TCE group (P<0.0001, q=9.15) and FES & TCE group (P<0.0001, q=10.69). FES of lower limb muscles and Tai Chi exercise can recover the quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of older chronic heart failure adults (trial registration: Research Registry 4474, January 1, 2015).

The Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Depression, Quality of Life and Self-efficacy in Patients with Parkinson's Disease / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise (TCE) on depression, quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHOD: A nonequivalent control-group pre and posttest design was used. Of the 30 participants 15 were assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group. The experimental group participated in 8 weeks of TCE which included one day of exercise with instructor on site and 3 days of self-exercise at home guided by a videotape. RESULTS: The 8 weeks of TCE were found to be significantly effective in enhancing quality of life and self-efficacy. However there was no significant difference in the level of depression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TCE has positive effect on quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with PD. Research over an extended period with the TCE intervention is recommended to identify further effects.

Effects of a TaiChi Program for Early Mastectomy Patients / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: There is a need to apply the Tai Chi program to help early mastectomy patients improve their upper limb functions and for the emotional state as well. METHOD: Participants were recruited at breast cancer centers of two general hospitals from February 17 to April 25, 2005. Twenty-five subjects in the experimental group and 23 subjects in the control group participated for 12 weeks. The Tai chi program consisted of breast cancer self management education and a Tai Chi exercise program. Range of motion of the shoulder joint was determined by the Uni-level inclinometer, and functional assessment of the shoulder was evaluated with the tool. Data was analyzed by SPSS 11. RESULT: The experimental group had significantly increased shoulder range of motion, especially in external rotation, upper limb function and emotional state compared with the control group after program for 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: This program makes it possible to be independent and have a positive everyday life. In addition, it can help keep a healthy lifestyle in mastectomy women.

Effects of a Sun-style Tai Chi Exercise on Arthritic Symptoms, Motivation and the Performance of Health Behaviors in Women with Osteoarthritis / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: Tai Chi exercise, an ancient Chinese martial art, has drawn more and more attention for its health benefits. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of a Sun-style Tai Chi exercise on arthritic symptoms (joint pain and stiffness), motivation for performing health behaviors, and the performance of health behaviors among older women with osteoarthritis. METHODS: Total of 72 women with the mean age of 63 years old were recruited from outpatients clinic or public health centers according to the inclusion criteria and assigned randomly to either the Tai Chi exercise group or the control. A Sun-style Tai Chi exercise has been provided three times a week for the first two weeks, and then once a week for another 10 weeks. In 12 weeks of study period, 22 subjects in the Tai Chi exercise group and 21 subjects in the control group completed the posttest measure with the dropout rate of 41%. Outcome variables included arthritic symptoms measured by K-WOMAC, motivation for health behavior, and health behaviors. RESULTS: At the completion of the 12 week Tai Chi exercise, the Tai Chi group perceived significantly less joint pain (t=-2.19, p=0.03) and stiffness (t=-2.24, p=0.03), perceived more health benefits (t=2.67, p=0.01), and performed better health behaviors (t=2.35, p=0.02), specifically for diet behavior (t=2.06, p=0.04) and stress management (t=2.97, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: A Sun-style Tai Chi exercise was found as beneficial for women with osteoarthritis to reduce their perceived arthritic symptoms, improve their perception of health benefits to perform better health behaviors.

Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on Pain, Balance, Gait and Physical Function of Patients with Low Back Pain / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain. METHOD: This study was designed one group pretest-posttest design. Tai Chi exercise was conducted by researcher and carried out for sixty minutes per one time and two times a week for six weeks. The subjects of this study consisted of 23 low back patients. Using the SPSS win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, which included frequency, percentage and paired t-test. RESULT: Tai Chi exercise decreased pain, improved balance and gait, increased physical function(back muscle strength, leg muscle strength and flexibility). CONCLUSION: The results suggested Tai Chi exercise can be effective nursing intervention to improve pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain.

Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Somatic Function of Middle-aged Females / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on somatic function of middle-aged females.Methods60 middle-aged females had a 16-week Taichi quan exercise and changes of blood pressure, resting heart rate and vital capacity were tested.ResultsAfter Tai Chi exercise, 60 women had results of resting heart rate and blood pressure decreased, and vital capacity increased obviously (P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionTai Chi exercise maybe an effect sport manner to improve the somatic function of middle-aged females.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise for improving Balance / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise for improving balance and its tendency and helps to identify directions for future research. METHOD: 19 articles from Medline search of foreign journals(1981-2003) and 5 from Korean nursing journals (1981-2003) were surveyed. The contents analyses were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding balance. RESULT: Variable measures for balance were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance. They included the functional measures such as 14 single-leg stance, 7 walking in physiological measures and 7 laboratory-based balance measures were done with platform stability test. The measure of effective Tai Chi exercise depended on the health status of subjects and the methods. Health status of subjects were only on physically inactive older adults in 17 articles and arthritis patients in 7 articles in the Tai Chi study. The significant effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance was revealed after 10weeks duration. CONCLUSION: Considering the results, Tai Chi exercise is more effective than any other studies for walking balance. But the reports on the outcome are inconsistent with wide variations in the choice of balance measures. It is suggested that future studies analyze systemic change through meta analysis and have a wide variety of subjects who need postural control and balance control. The methods of measures should be distinct from the balance state of subjects for the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise.