Effect of Tai Chi on Quality of Life of Patients with Breast Cancer:A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Tai chi on quality of life of breast cancer patients. Methods Articles from 10 Eng-lish and Chinese Databases from inception to March 2012 were recalled. 2 researchers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligi-ble trials, methodological quality was assessed according to risk of bias items. Meta-analysis would be used if data available. Results 4 ran-domized trials with 169 participants were included. All trials had high risk of bias. 2 studies demonstrated significant improvement in Tai chi group for improving shoulder functional capacity which caused by breast cancer. The meta-analysis failed to demonstrate significant effects of Tai chi compared with control interventions (psychological support therapy, standard health care, routine rehabilitation training) in im-proving quality of life (SMD 0.03, 95%CI-0.85, 0.91, P=0.94). Conclusion Tai chi is effective on shoulder functional capacity of breast cancer, but not significantly on quality of life.