Author: Wenhui Mao1, Ting Wang1, Mengzi Sun1, Fangtong Zhang2, Li Li3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Sports Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
<sup>2</sup> School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China.
<sup>3</sup> Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8076, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA.
Conference/Journal: Healthcare (Basel)
Date published: 2023 May 26
Other:
Volume ID: 11 , Issue ID: 11 , Pages: 1559 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/healthcare11111559. , Word Count: 189
Background:
Effects of Tai Chi on people with peripheral neuropathy (PN) are not yet apparent. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on postural control in people with PN.
Methods:
Literature was screened in seven databases for relevant randomized controlled trials. The reports and methodological quality were evaluated. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software.
Results:
Ten reports were included, involving a total of 344 subjects. The meta-analysis found that Tai Chi therapy for people with PN resulted in a smaller sway area, in the double-leg stance with eyes closed test (SMD = -2.43, I2 = 0%), than that observed in the control group, greater distance covered in the six-minute walking test (SMD = -0.46, I2 = 49%) and faster performance in the timed-up-and-go test (SMD = 0.68, I2 = 50%), than the baseline.
Conclusions:
Tai chi effectively enhanced dynamic postural control in people with PN. However, no better effects on postural control from Tai Chi than from other rehabilitation approaches were observed in this study. Further high-quality trials are needed to better understand Tai Chi's effects on individuals with PN.
Keywords: Tai Ji; peripheral nervous system diseases; postural balance; postural control.
PMID: 37297699 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11111559