The effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine-based exercise on physical performance, balance and muscle strength among older adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research 2022-04, Vol.34 (4), p.725-740
• Main Authors: Wang, Cenyi, Liang, Jiling, Si, Yuhao, Li, Zeyun, Lu, Aming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chinese medicine; Clinical trials; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Martial arts; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Meta-analysis; Muscle strength; Older people; Review; Systematic review
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-021-01964-2

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based exercises have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of balance, cardiopulmonary, and other related diseases in older adults. However, there seems to be no consensus on the improvement and comparison of physical performance, balance, and muscle strength in the elderly population. Objectives To systematically examine the impact of different TCM-based exercises on physical performance, balance, and muscle strength outcomes in the elderly. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Center, CNKI and Wan Fang between their date of inception and March 2021. This meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) or controlled clinical trials (CCT) were considered in TCM-based exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Qigong). The overall mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Main results A total of 27 studies with 2580 older adults met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis indicated that Tai Chi could be more effective in Times up and go (TUG) (MD = − 2.62, 95% CI − 4.00 to − 1.24, P  = 0.0002), 5 times sit-stand (MD = − 1.89; 95%CI − 3.38 to − 0.40; P  = 0.01), and handgrip strength outcomes (SMD = 0.69; 95%CI 0.52–0.86; P