Objective To conduct a systematic review of reports on the physical and psychological effects of Tai Chi on various chronic medical conditions. Data Sources Search of 11 computerized English and Chinese databases. Study Selection Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies published in English or Chinese. Data Extraction Data were extracted for the study objective, population characteristics, study setting, type of Tai Chi intervention, study design, outcome assessment, duration of follow-up, and key results. Data Synthesis There were 9 randomized controlled trials, 23 nonrandomized controlled studies, and 15 observational studies in this review. Benefits were reported in balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune system, symptoms of arthritis, muscular strength, and psychological effects. Conclusions Tai Chi appears to have physiological and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe and effective in promoting balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older patients with chronic conditions. However, limitations or biases exist in most studies, and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported. Most indications in which Tai Chi was applied lack a theoretical foundation concerning the mechanism of benefit. Well-designed studies are needed.

/pdf/the-effect-of-tai-chi-on-health-outcomes-in-patients-with-59o2azpg8m.pdf

The effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review.

Objective: Numerous reports advocate that training of the proprioceptive sense is a viable behavioral therapy for improving impaired motor function. However, there is little agreement of what constitutes proprioceptive training and how effective it is. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the available literature in order to provide clarity to the notion of training the proprioceptive system. Methods: Four major scientific databases were searched. The following criteria were subsequently applied: 1) A quantified pre and post-treatment measure of proprioceptive function. 2) An intervention or training program believed to influence or enhance proprioceptive function. 3) Contained at least one form of treatment or outcome measure that is indicative of somatosensory function. From a total of 1284 articles, 51 studies fulfilled all criteria and were selected for further review. Results: Overall, proprioceptive training resulted in an average improvement of 52% across all outcome measures. Applying muscle vibration above 30Hz for longer durations (i.e., min vs. sec) induced outcome improvements of up to 60%. Joint position and target reaching training consistently enhanced joint position sense (up to 109%) showing an average improvement of 48%. Cortical stroke was the most studied disease entity but no clear evidence indicated that proprioceptive training is differentially beneficial across the reported diseases. Conclusions: There is converging evidence that proprioceptive training can yield meaningful improvements in somatosensory and sensorimotor function. However, there is a clear need for further work. Those forms of training utilizing both passive and active movements with and without visual feedback tended to be most beneficial. There is also initial evidence suggesting that proprioceptive training induces cortical reorganization, reinforcing the notion that proprioceptive training is a viable method for improving sensorimotor function.

/pdf/the-effectiveness-of-proprioceptive-training-for-improving-4pfnw34srb.pdf

The effectiveness of proprioceptive training for improving motor function: a systematic review

Objectives—To assess the characteristic eVects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise on metabolism and cardiorespiratory response,andtomeasureitseVectoncardiorespiratory function, mental control, immune capacity, and the prevention of falls in elderly people. Design—A review of controlled experimental studies and clinical trials designed with one of two aims: either to assess physiological responses during the performance of TCC or to assess the impact of this exercise on general health and fitness. Main outcome measures—Metabolic rate, heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation, maximal oxygen uptake (V ~O2MAX), immune capacity, falls, and fall related factors. Subjects—A total of 2216 men and women. Results—Under review were 31 original studies, published in Chinese or English journals, that met the criteria for inclusion. Most of the papers written in Chinese had not been introduced into the Western literature. Nine of these studies showed that TCC can be classified as moderate exercise, as its does not demand more than 55% of maximal oxygen intake. When this form of exercise and others conducted at equal intensity were compared, TCC showed a significantly lower ventilatory equivalent (V ~E/V ~O2MAX). Evidence provided by cross sectional and longitudinal studies suggests that TCC exercise has beneficial eVects on cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal function, posture control capacity, and the reduction of falls experienced by the elderly. Conclusions—TCC is a moderate intensity exercise that is beneficial to cardiorespiratory function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, and balance control; it improves muscle strength and reduces the risk of falls in the elderly. (Br J Sports Med 2001;35:148‐156)

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/35/3/148.full.pdf

Tai chi: physiological characteristics and beneficial effects on health

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of tai chi on self-rated sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in older adults reporting moderate sleep complaints.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial with allocation to tai chi or exercise control.

Setting: General community.

Participants: One hundred eighteen women and men aged 60 to 92.

Intervention: Participants were randomized into tai chi or low-impact exercise and participated in a 60-minute session, three times per week, for 24 consecutive weeks.

Measurements: Primary outcome measures were the seven subscales of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), PSQI global score, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Secondary outcome measures were physical performance (single leg stand, timed chair rise, 50-foot speed walk) and 12-item short form (SF-12) physical and mental summary scores.

Results: Tai chi participants reported significant improvements in five of the PSQI subscale scores (sleep quality, sleep-onset latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances) (P<.01), PSQI global score (P=.001), and ESS scores (P=.002) in comparison with the low-impact exercise participants. Tai chi participants reported sleep-onset latency of about 18 minutes less per night (95% confidence interval (CI)=–28.64 to –7.12) and sleep duration of about 48 minutes more per night (95% CI=14.71–82.41) than low-impact exercise participants. Tai chi participants also showed better scores in secondary outcome measures than low-impact exercise participants. Both groups reported improvements in SF-12 mental summary scores.

Conclusion: Older adults with moderate sleep complaints can improve self-rated sleep quality through a 6-month, low- to moderate-intensity tai chi program. Tai chi appears to be effective as a nonpharmacological approach to sleep enhancement for sleep-disturbed elderly individuals.

Tai chi and self-rated quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

One of the challenges faced by people with advancing age is decreased postural stability and increased risks for falls. There has been an increased interest over the last decade in using Tai Chi as an intervention exercise for improving postural balance and preventing falls in older people. Despite the increased number of studies in recent years relating Tai Chi to balance and fall prevention, results are scattered and inconsistent. There is wide variation in the use of balance measures, subject population, type and duration of Tai Chi exercise, and type of study. This paper provides a systematic review/analysis of currently available study reports. The goal of the review is to address the following concerns: how the effect of Tai Chi on balance or fall prevention has been evaluated to date, what level of evidence exists supporting Tai Chi as an effective exercise for improving balance or preventing falls, and what factors could possibly affect the benefit of Tai Chi on balance or falls. This review also helps identify directions for future research.

/pdf/evaluation-of-the-effectiveness-of-tai-chi-for-improving-1gb8uhi958.pdf

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Tai Chi for improving balance and preventing falls in the older population--a review.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of T'ai Chi Chuan training on lateral stability, kinesthetic sense, and strength of voluntary knee extension. Subjects consisted of 24 naive volunteers (12 men and 12 women) between the ages of 20 and 45 years. Pre- and 12-week posttests included lateral body stability, kinesthetic sense in the glenohumeral joint for 30°, 45°, and 60°, and strength of knee extension. After pretest data collection, 12 subjects performed T'ai Chi Chuan three times per week for 12 weeks, learning 108 forms of T'ai Chi Chuan. A 2 × 2 analysis of variance was used to estimate significance of group differences on all of the dependent variables. Significant group differences were found in lateral body stability, kinesthetic sense at 60°, and strength of the dominant knee extensor. No significant differences between the T'ai Chi and the control group were found for kinesthetic sense at 30° and 45° rotation of the glenohumeral joint. Film analysis indicated that the two lesser ang...

The effect of T'ai Chi Chuan training on balance, kinesthetic sense, and strength

In this study, we examined the effects of sweat therapy on group dynamics and affect. Sweat therapy is the combination of intense heat exposure with psychotherapy or counseling (Colmant & Merta, 1999; 2000). Twenty-four undergraduates were separated by sex and randomly assigned to eight sessions of either a sweat or non-sweat group counseling condition. Measures included the Critical Incidents Questionnaire, the Harvard Community Health Plan Group Cohesiveness Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The sweat therapy participants reported more therapeutic factors having an impact on their group counseling experience, rated sessions as more beneficial, and interacted with stronger group cohesion than non-sweat therapy participants. There were no significant group differences in affect on immediate post-session measures. Implications for future research are discussed.

Investigating the Effects of Sweat Therapy on Group Dynamics and Affect

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The effect of T'ai Chi Chuan training on balance, kinesthetic sense, and strength

Investigating the Effects of Sweat Therapy on Group Dynamics and Affect