Author: Shihui Chen1, Yanjie Zhang2 3, Yong Tai Wang4, Xiaolei Liu5, Wook Song2 6, Xiru Du7
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Kinesiology, Texas A&M University Texarkana, TX, USA.
<sup>2</sup> Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
<sup>3</sup> Physical Education Unit, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
<sup>4</sup> College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA.
<sup>5</sup> Chinese Traditional Regimen Exercise Intervention Research Center, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
<sup>6</sup> Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
<sup>7</sup> College of Sport Arts, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Conference/Journal: Clin Rehabil
Date published: 2020 Jul 29
Other:
Pages: 269215520946695 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/0269215520946695. , Word Count: 243
PMID: 32727214 DOI: 10.1177/0269215520946695
Abstract
Objective: This study was to evaluate the effects of Qigong on clinical motor symptoms, walking ability, and balance of patients with Parkinson's disease.
Data sources: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database) were searched from inception to June 28, 2020.
Methods: Two reviewers independently selected and extracted the data from studies with randomized controlled trial, and effect sizes were calculated by employing random-effect models with 95% confidential interval (CI). We used Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale to evaluate the quality of included studies.
Results: A total of seven studies with 325 participants (180 males and 145 females) were included in this meta-analysis. Results of this meta-analysis showed that Qigong had significantly positive effects on motor symptoms (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI [0.24, 0.93]), walking ability (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI [0.10, 1.47]), and balance (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI [0.23, 1.20]) in patients with Parkinson's disease. Subgroup analysis showed Qigong exercise had significant difference on improving motor symptoms and walking ability compared to passive control (P < 0.01), and no significant difference compared to active control. Subgroup analysis of Qigong exercise revealed a significant difference on balance compared to both active and passive control (P < 0.05). In addition, meta-regression result indicated that the effect of Qigong exercise on motor symptoms was influenced by age.
Conclusion: The findings from current meta-analysis supported Qigong exercise as a beneficial alternative therapy may contribute to increasing motor function, walking ability, and balance for patients with Parkinson's disease.
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; Qigong; balance; motor impairment; walking endurance.
Similar articles