Wuqinxi Qigong as an Alternative Exercise for Improving Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: The improvement of living standards has led to increases in the prevalence of hypokinetic diseases. In particular, multifactorial complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, are becoming more prevalent. Currently, developing effective methods to combat or prevent metabolic syndrome is of critical public health importance. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the existing literature regarding the effects of Wuqinxi exercise on reducing risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Methods: Both English- and Chinese-language databases were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of Wuqinxi on these outcomes. Meanwhile, we extracted usable data for computing pooled effect size estimates, along with the random-effects model. Results: The synthesized results showed positive effects of Wuqinxi exercise on systolic blood pressure (SBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85, p < 0.001, I2 = 24.06%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00, p < 0.001, I2 = 61.28%), total plasma cholesterol (TC, SMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.36, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.71%), triglyceride (TG, SMD = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.24, p < 0.001, I2 = 67.22%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, SMD = 1.24, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.72, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.27%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.46, p < 0.001, I2 = 82.27%). In addition, regression results showed that longer-duration Wuqinxi intervention significantly improved DBP (β = 0.00016, Q = 5.72, df = 1, p = 0.02), TC (β = −0.00010, Q = 9.03, df = 1, p = 0.01), TG (β = 0.00012, Q = 6.23, df = 1, p = 0.01), and LDL (β = 0.00011, Q = 5.52, df = 1, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Wuqinxi may be an effective intervention to alleviate the cardiovascular disease risk factors of metabolic syndrome.

Exercise as an Alternative Approach for Treating Smartphone Addiction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Random Controlled Trials

“…The PEDro scale is designed for the use of best evidence to enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy services. Its assessment includes 11 items, with higher scores representing better methodological quality of the corresponding study [35]. A third researcher was consulted only if the previous two researchers had a disagreement on any items of the PEDro scale.…”

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

“…Also qigong is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence (91,92). A meta-analysis on qigong demonstrates the effectiveness of qigong in improving cardiovascular risk factors in participants with metabolic syndrome (91).…”

“…Evidence on preventive effects of exercise for the elderly is overwhelmingly positive (106). CIM exercises offers a range of preventive possibilities that may also include MBM approaches (91,92,(107)(108)(109). Exercise practiced in open air such as Nordicwalking or a walk in the forest may have greater overall positive effects than fitness training in a studio or indoor home situations (110,111).…”

Effects of Wuqinxi in the Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, Wuqinxi has become an alternative choice in China in recent years due to its unique movements and effects [ 35 ]. Wuqinxi is a mind-body exercise integrated with training for body strength, flexibility, breathing, and meditating, which emphasizes the unification of mental regulation, breathing exercises, and movement control [ 35 ]. Patients need to imagine that they are imitating the might of tiger, vigor of deer, steadiness of bear, flexibility of monkey, and stretching movement of crane.…”