Effects of Tai Chi on Lung Function, Exercise Capacity and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Objectives: To explore whether tai chi can improve lung function, exercise capacity, and health-related outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) databases were searched from inception to January 5, 2023. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions criteria. Results: A total of 1430 participants from 20 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The results indicated significant effects of tai chi on FEV1, 6WMD, anxiety, and quality of life ( p < 0.01), but not on FEV1%, FEVI/FVC, depression, and social support. Conclusions: Tai chi might be a potential alternative therapy to improve FEV1, 6WMD, anxiety, and quality of life for patients with COPD.

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

“…Tai Ji and Qigong (Yijinjing, Liuzijue, Baduanjin et al) are traditional Chinese mediative movements, originated from thousand years ago, combine with sustained mindfulness, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and gentle movements, applied as the complementary medicine in treating chronic disease, could improve patient's cardiac and lung function, release chronic fatigue or pain, finally benefit patient's physical and mental health. Several systematic reviews (SRs) previously revealed that Tai Ji and Qigong are traditional PR, and could improve FEV1, 6WMD, and QoL for patients with COPD [6,7] . The positive conclusion was seemed certain, however most RCTs included in research were published in Chinese and complained as low quality due to high risk of either randomization or allocation concealment bias.…”