The Effect of Tai Chi for Improving Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Author: Huanjie Li1, Juexuan Chen2, Guangzhen Xu3, Yuting Duan4, Danxuan Huang5, Chunzhi Tang6, Jihong Liu7
Affiliation:
1 Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.6 Qinren Road, Chancheng District, Foshan, 528000, China. Electronic address: 1152014765@qq.com.
2 American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Address:1925 West County Road B2, Roseville, Minnesota, United States; Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.232 Waihuandong Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: 383261515@qq.com.
3 Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.6 Qinren Road, Chancheng District, Foshan, 528000, China. Electronic address: 564759654@qq.com.
4 Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinical Study Centre, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Address: 3/F, Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building, 7 Baptist University Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.232 Waihuandong Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: 18702009530@163.com.
5 Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.6 Qinren Road, Chancheng District, Foshan, 528000, China. Electronic address: 1402850498@qq.com.
6 Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.232 Waihuandong Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: jordan664@163.com.
7 Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Address: No.6 Qinren Road, Chancheng District, Foshan, 528000, China. Electronic address: 544279373@qq.com.
Conference/Journal: J Affect Disord
Date published: 2020 Sep 1
Other: Volume ID: 274 , Pages: 1102-1112 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.076. , Word Count: 260


PMID: 32663938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.076

Abstract
Background: Sleep quality is a major concern around the world, yet currently there are no recognized non-pharmacological treatments. A systematic review and meta-analysis investigated Tai Chi's effect on patients with sleep complaints, both those with insomnia and those with other conditions.

Methods: 4 English language databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL) and 4 Chinese databases (CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wanfang Data) were searched from database inception through June 23, 2019. Searches were conducted in both English and Chinese language. Meta-analysis by mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed with RevMan 5.3. Risk of bias for each study was accounted for according to the Cochrane Handbook.

Results: Twenty randomized controlled studies from five countries covering 1,703 patients were included and divided into two control groups. Tai Chi had a significant effect on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) compared with non-treatment and active treatment groups. Moreover, the articles were divided into groups according to Tai Chi styles. Both 24-form Yang-style Tai Chi and 8-form Yang-style Tai Chi had significant effects on PSQI.

Limitations: One limitation of our work was that there were some forms of insomnia for which conclusions could not be drawn. Also, no relationship between efficacy and any of the factors could be elucidated.

Conclusions: Compared with non-therapeutic and other active treatments, Tai Chi has a positive effect on improving sleep quality. In-depth analysis showed that 24-form and 8-form Yang style Tai Chi have significant positive effects on sleep quality, as assessed by PSQI.

Keywords: Insomnia; Meta-analysis; Review; Sleep quality; Tai Chi.

Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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