Tai chi improves cognitive and physical function in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of Tai Chi on cognitive and physical function in the elderly. [Subjects and Methods] A randomized trial design was used. A total 150 subjects were enrolled and were divided into Tai Chi and control groups. Subjects in the Tai Chi group participated Tai Chi for 6 months, and subjects in the control group participated in other non-athletic activities. [Results] There were no differences between the groups in the one leg standing time with eyes open, left grip strength, or the Frontal Assessment Battery at bedside after 3 and 6 months of intervention. The Mini-Mental State Examination scores after 3 and 6 months were higher in the Tai Chi group than in the control group. The right grip strength after 3 months increased more in the Tai Chi group than in the control group. Both the 5-m high walking speed and 10-m normal walking speed were significantly lower after 3 and 6 months of Tai Chi practice. [Conclusion] These results suggest that regular Tai Chi practice may improve cognitive and physical function in the elderly.

Effects of Mind‐Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Meta‐Analysis

“…A total of 32 randomized clinical trials with 3624 participants were included in the analysis. The age of the included participants ranged from 50 to 85 years.…”

“…Because mind‐body exercise is a nonpharmacologic therapy, nearly all of the studies failed to blind the participants and personnel. The outcome assessments were blinded in 20 studies (62.5%) . Thirty studies (93.75%) had a low risk of attrition bias because most studies reported the dropout rate or represented detailed explanations.…”

“…The outcome assessments were blinded in 20 studies (62.5%) . Thirty studies (93.75%) had a low risk of attrition bias because most studies reported the dropout rate or represented detailed explanations. Overall, 21 studies (65.6%) 16–22,24,25,27–29,33–35,37–40 were recognized as having a low risk of methodological quality, and the remaining studies were deemed to have a low methodological quality.…”

“…The treatments used for the intervention groups included tai chi, [14][15][16][17]25,26,28,29,31,33,[35][36][37][38][39][40]42,43 yoga, 13,[21][22][23][24]32,34,41 and dance. 12,[18][19][20]27,30 Different practices of mind-body exercises included varied schools that were12/24-form Yang-style tai chi, ballroom dance, Iyengar or Kundalini yoga, and so on (the detailed schools are shown in Supplementary Table S1).…”

Effects of multiple training modalities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study

“…Some traditional Chinese approaches may improve cognitive and physical function in the elderly 9,10. For example, Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi) is a traditional Chinese aerobic mind–body exercise with mild-to-moderate intensity that has recently become popular worldwide; it is appropriate for all ages 9.…”