Author: Wen Qi1, David Alarcón2, María José Arenilla2, Hongli Yu1, José Carlos Jaenes2, Manuel Trujillo3, Dominika Wilczyńska4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
<sup>2</sup> Social Anthropology, Basic Psychology and Public Health Department, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
<sup>3</sup> Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
<sup>4</sup> Faculty of Social and Humanities, University WSB Merito, Gdansk, Poland.
Conference/Journal: J Aging Phys Act
Date published: 2025 Jan 6
Other:
Pages: 1-12 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1123/japa.2024-0077. , Word Count: 238
Objectives:
The aim of this review and meta-analysis is to compare different low-intensity forms of physical activity (PA; Baduanjin, Tai Chi, walking, and general PA) as treatments for knee osteoarthritis.
Methods:
Between 2003 and 2023, pertinent articles published in scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar) were searched in preparation for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-four studies that satisfied the requirements were selected, with a total sample size of 1,972 participants, of which 71.46% were female. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria were followed in the study selection process, and the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.
Results:
The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that various low-intensity PAs, particularly Asian exercise techniques such as Baduanjin, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly alleviated symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in middle and late adulthood. Pain reduction showed a moderately significant effect size (d = -0.65, SE = 0.14, p < .001), with all interventions, including Baduanjin, general PA, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly decreasing pain levels. Stiffness also improved, with a moderate effect size (d = -0.71, SE = 0.17, p < .001), and physical function significantly improved (d = -0.58, SE = 0.15, p < .001).
Conclusion:
The results suggest that walking and Baduanjin exercises can be effectively integrated into community-based programs for middle-aged and older adults to manage knee osteoarthritis symptoms, offering a cost-effective nonpharmacological intervention.
Keywords: Baduanjin; Tai Chi; low-intensity physical activity; walking.
PMID: 39773493 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2024-0077