Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on cognitive and physical functions in older adults: systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized clinical trials

Abstract

Background Older adults experience age-related declines in physical and cognitive functions due to interactions between aging and chronic diseases. Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) might be beneficial in improving the physical function and delaying the cognitive decline of this population. The potential underlying mechanism was explored to determine the effects of TCQ on cognitive function via direct or indirect pathways. Purpose The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of TCQ on cognitive and physical functions in older adults using meta-analysis, and to determine the impact of TCQ on cognitive function while controlling for physical function using a meta-regression approach. Methods A systematic search of 13 electronic databases (in English, Korean, and Chinese languages) identified 10,292 potentially eligible studies published between inception and May 2022. The bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (version 2.0) tool. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated using a 95% prediction interval, and the meta-analysis and meta-regression were implemented using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 3) software. Results Our search identified 17 randomized studies (n = 2,365, mean age = 70.3 years). The results of the meta-analysis that used a random-effects model indicated that TCQ had significant effects on both cognitive (Hedges' g = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.42) and physical (Hedges' g = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.44) functions. We used meta-regression to explore the effect size of TCQ in association with physical function level. The regression model was significant (Q = 25.01, p = .070), and 55% of the heterogeneity was explained by physical function as a moderator variable. The effects of TCQ on cognitive function remained significant in this model when controlling for the effect of physical function (β = 0.46, p = .011). Conclusion This meta-regression of 17 randomized studies strongly suggests that TCQ has beneficial effects on physical and cognitive functions in older adults. The effect of TCQ on cognitive function remained significant after taking into account the significant effects of physical function as a moderator. The findings imply the potential health benefits of TCQ by promoting cognitive function in older adults directly and indirectly through enhancing physical function. PROSPERO registration number *PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, registration ID CRD42023394358.

Effect of berberine on cognitive function and β-amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer’s disease models: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A substantial portion of the research on AD treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has focused on herbs like Panax ginseng ( Razgonova et al, 2019 ), curcumin ( Bhat et al, 2019 ), active constituents of herbs such as polysaccharides ( Zhang et al, 2022 ), epimedium glycoside Icariin ( Yu et al, 2022 ), evodiamine ( Pang et al, 2022 ) and specific therapies such as Tai Chi ( Park et al, 2023 ), acupuncture ( Cai et al, 2019 ), aiming to ameliorate memory and cognitive deficits in AD models. These approaches operate through diverse mechanisms, including regulation of β-amyloid and tau proteins, amelioration of cognitive deficits by preventing synaptic degeneration and neuroinflammation in AD, and modulation of AD pathology via mechanisms like antioxidant activity, anti-neuroapoptosis, or autophagy.…”

Effect of Tai Ji and/or Qigong on Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease A protocol for meta-analysis and systematic review

“…A SR that included twenty-three studies tentatively supported that Tai chi effectively reduced anxiety and depression, and improved general mental health compared to non-mindful exercise [13] . A SR identified seventeen randomized trails implied Tai Ji and Qigong promoted cognitive function in the elderly directly/indirectly through enhancing physical function [14] . Back to COPD people, a small RCT reported that there were between-group improvements favoring Tai Ji (vs. ordinary treatment) in Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD), and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) -fatigue, then supported Tai Ji as a potential modest role in improving cognitive-emotional health and function [15] .…”

More Than Just Movement: Exploring Embodied Group Synchrony During Seated Dance for Older Adults Living in Residential Aged Care Communities

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