The effects of Tai Chi on physical function and well-being among persons with Parkinson's Disease: A systematic review

Objective. Parkinson’s disease adversely affects function and quality of life, leading to increased mortality. The practice of Tai Chi has been associated with multifaceted improvements in health-related fitness. Considering the limited number of clinical studies included in previous reviews, inconsistent methodological quality, and inconclusive results, this meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of Tai Chi in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Method. Four English language databases and four Chinese databases were systematically searched for existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Tai Chi in Parkinson’s disease from database inception through August 1, 2020. Methodological quality was appraised with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A meta-analysis of comparative effects was performed using the Review Manager v.5.3 software. Results. Seventeen published RCTs totaling 951 subjects were included. Results showed that Tai Chi has a statistically significant effect on the outcomes of gait velocity, unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor score, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The effects on the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) were not statistically significant. Conclusions. This systematic review and meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease and Tai Chi suggests Tai Chi is a relatively safe activity that can result in gains in general motor function and improve bradykinesia and balance. It has no statistically significant advantage for quality of life and functional mobility. Further randomized trials with larger sample sizes and of higher methodological quality are needed to confirm these results and to assess the feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for potential different clinical applications.

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Therapeutic Effects of Tai Chi in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

ISRN Neurology ◽

10.1155/2013/548240 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Hye-Jung Choi ◽

Carol Ewing Garber ◽

Tae-Won Jun ◽

Young-Soo Jin ◽

Sun-Ju Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Physical Function ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Main Effects

Objective. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week program of therapeutic Tai Chi on the motor function and physical function of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients (PDs). Methods. The participants were 22 clinically stable PDs in Hoehn-Yahr stages 1-2 randomly assigned to a therapeutic Tai Chi group (TTC, N=11) or a control group (CON, N=9). Two subjects in control group did not complete the study for personal reasons. TTC was performed three days a week (60 min/session). Motor symptoms by the UPDRS were assessed, and tests of physical function were administered before and after the 12-week trial. Results. The TTC group, as compared to the CON group, showed changes in the mentation, behavior, mood, and motor scales of the UPDRS (P<0.05, P<0.01, resp.), with no significant main effects on the activities of daily living scale (ADL). However, there was a significant interaction between the time and intervention group on ADL (P<0.05). There were no significant main effects for any of the physical function variables. There were significant interaction effects in balance and agility (P<0.05, resp.). Conclusions. This study showed that TTC training had modest positive effects on the functional status of Parkinson’s disease patients.

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