Systematic review and meta-analysis: Tai Chi for preventing falls in older adults

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of strength training (ST), as compared to alternative multimodal or unimodal exercise programs, on the number of falls in older adults (≥60 years). Ten databases were consulted (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science), without limitations on language or publication date. Eligibility criteria were as follows: RCTs with humans ≥60 years of age of any gender with one group performing supervised ST and a group performing another type of exercise training, reporting data pertaining falls. Certainty of evidence was assessed with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Meta-analysis used a random effects model to calculate the risk ratio (RR) for number of falls. Five RCTs with six trials were included (n = 543, 76% women). There was no difference between ST and alternative exercise interventions for falls (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.77–1.30, p = 0.99). The certainty of evidence was very low. No dose–response relationship could be established. In sum, ST showed comparable RR based on number of falls in older adults when compared to other multimodal or unimodal exercise modalities, but evidence is scarce and heterogeneous, and additional research is required for more robust conclusions. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020222908.

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Effect of Tai Chi on Cognitive Function among Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/6679153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Renjun Gu ◽

Yujia Gao ◽

Chunbing Zhang ◽

Xiaojuan Liu ◽

Zhiguang Sun

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Digit Span ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Dementia Rating

Background. Cognitive decline occurs in all persons during the aging process and drugs can only alleviate symptoms and are expensive. Some researches demonstrated that Tai Chi had potential in preventing cognitive decline while others’ results showed Tai Chi had no influence on cognitive impairment. Therefore, we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of cognitive impairment patients practicing Tai Chi. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, PsycInfo (Ovid), CKNI, Wan Fang, VIP, SinoMed, and ClinicalTrails, from their inception to 1 July 2020 to collect randomized controlled trials about practicing Tai Chi for patients with cognitive impairment. Primary outcomes included changes of cognitive function and secondary outcomes included changes of memory functions. Data were extracted by two independent individuals and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2.0 was applied for the included studies. Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results. The results included 827 cases in 9 studies, of which 375 were in the experimental group and 452 were in the control group. Meta-analysis showed that Mini-Mental State Examination WMD = 1.52, 95% CI [0.90, 2.14]; Montreal Cognitive Assessment WMD = 3.5, 95% CI [0.76, 6.24]; Clinical Dementia Rating WMD = −0.55, 95% CI [−0.80, −0.29]; logical memory delayed recall WMD = 1.1, 95% CI [0.04, 2.16]; digit span forward WMD = 0.53, 95% CI [−0.65, 1.71]; and digit span backward WMD = −0.1, 95% CI [−0.38, 0.19]. No adverse events were reported in the included articles. Conclusion. There is limited evidence to support that practicing Tai Chi is effective for older adults with cognitive impairment. Tai Chi seems to be a safe exercise, which can bring better changes in cognitive function score.

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Effectiveness of Olympic Combat Sports on Balance, Fall Risk or Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology11010074 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 74

Author(s):

Pablo Valdés-Badilla ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela ◽

Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco ◽

Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Combat Sports ◽

High Quality ◽

Grade Scale ◽

Falls In Older Adults ◽

Final Manuscript ◽

Meta Analyses

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS), compared with active/passive controls, on balance, fall risk, or falls in older adults. The TESTEX and GRADE scales assessed the methodological quality and certainty of the evidence. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42020204034). From 1496 records, eight studies were included, involving 322 older adults (64% female; mean age = 71.1 years). The TESTEX scale revealed all studies with a score ≥ 60% (moderate-high quality). The GRADE scale indicated all studies with at least some concerns, up to a high risk of bias (i.e., was rated very low). Meta-analyses were planned, although the reduced number of studies precluded its incorporation in the final manuscript. Only two from six studies that assessed balance found improvements after OCS compared to controls. No differences were found between OCS vs. control groups for fall risk or falls. The available evidence does not allow a definitive recommendation for or against OCS interventions as an effective strategy to improve balance and reduce the fall risk or falls in older adults. Therefore, more high-quality studies are required to draw definitive conclusions.

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