Author: Hall A1, Copsey B2, Richmond H3, Thompson J4, Ferreira M5, Latimer J6, Maher CG7
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>A. Hall, PhD, The George Institute for Global Health, Oxford Martin School, 34 Broad St, Oxford, United Kingdom OX1 3BD.
<sup>2</sup>B. Copsey, MMath, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
<sup>3</sup>H. Richmond, PhD, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford.
<sup>4</sup>J. Thompson, MPH, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford.
<sup>5</sup>M. Ferreira, PhD, Musculoskeletal Division, the George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and Institute of Bone and Joint Research, The Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney.
<sup>6</sup>J. Latimer, PhD, Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney.
<sup>7</sup>C.G. Maher, PhD, Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney.
Conference/Journal: Phys Ther.
Date published: 2016 Sep 15
Other:
Word Count: 261
BACKGROUND: Tai chi is recommended for musculoskeletal conditions, however, the evidence for its clinical effectiveness is uncertain.
PURPOSE: To determine whether tai chi is beneficial for clinical outcomes in people with musculoskeletal pain.
DATA SOURCES: Seven databases EMBASE, PEDro, AMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sport Discus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials of tai chi for people with a chronic musculoskeletal condition were included.
DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers extracted data and rated risk of bias. Standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for individual trials and pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random effects model.
DATA SYNTHESIS: 15 studies were identified including people with osteoarthritis (80%), back pain (13%) and headache (7%). Using the GRADE approach, we found moderate quality evidence that tai chi is more effective than no treatment or usual care at short term on pain (SMD -0.66 (-0.85, -0.48)) and disability (SMD -0.66 (-0.85, -0.46)). The evidence for other outcomes was of low or very low quality and there was little information regarding long-term effects. Thus, while the number of publications in this area has increased, the rigor has not, hindering our ability to provide reliable recommendations for clinical practice.
LIMITATIONS: The evidence provided in this review is limited by trials with small sample sizes, low methodological quality and lack of long-term assessment.
CONCLUSIONS: In order for tai chi to be recommended as an effective intervention, more high quality trials with large sample sizes assessing tai chi versus other evidence-based treatments at short and long-term are needed.
© 2016 American Physical Therapy Association.
PMID: 27634919 DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20160246