This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on ISI (37)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related letters  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Review  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine  • Alert me on articles by topic

A Systematic Review

Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc; Jean Paul Collet, MD, PhD; Joseph Lau, MD

Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:493-501.

Objective  To conduct a systematic review of reports on the physical and psychological effects of Tai Chi on various chronic medical conditions.

Data Sources  Search of 11 computerized English and Chinese databases.

Study Selection  Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies published in English or Chinese.

Data Extraction  Data were extracted for the study objective, population characteristics, study setting, type of Tai Chi intervention, study design, outcome assessment, duration of follow-up, and key results.

Data Synthesis  There were 9 randomized controlled trials, 23 nonrandomized controlled studies, and 15 observational studies in this review. Benefits were reported in balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune system, symptoms of arthritis, muscular strength, and psychological effects.

Conclusions  Tai Chi appears to have physiological and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe and effective in promoting balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older patients with chronic conditions. However, limitations or biases exist in most studies, and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported. Most indications in which Tai Chi was applied lack a theoretical foundation concerning the mechanism of benefit. Well-designed studies are needed.

From the Center for Clinical Evidence Synthesis, Division of Clinical Care Research, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass (Drs Wang and Lau); and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (Dr Collet). The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.

RELATED LETTERS

Response to the Systematic Review of Tai Chi
Ruth E. Taylor-Piliae
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(22):2503.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Response to the Systematic Review of Tai Chi—Reply
Chenchen Wang
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(22):2504.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Tai Chi for Disease Activity and Flexibility in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis--A Controlled Clinical Trial
Lee et al.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008;0:nem048v3-nem048.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Influence of Yoga-Based Programs on Risk Profiles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
Innes and Vincent
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2007;4:469-486.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi for Tension Headaches
Abbott et al.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2007;4:107-113.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Tai Chi Chuan Exercise Decreases A1C Levels Along With Increase of Regulatory T-Cells and Decrease of Cytotoxic T-Cell Population in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Yeh et al.
Diabetes Care 2007;30:716-718.
FULL TEXT  

Group and home-based tai chi in elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Brismee et al.
Clin Rehabil 2007;21:99-111.
ABSTRACT  

Tai Chi Chih Acutely Decreases Sympathetic Nervous System Activity in Older Adults
Motivala et al.
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2006;61:1177-1180.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Community patient education and exercise for people with fibromyalgia: a parallel group randomized controlled trial
Hammond and Freeman
Clin Rehabil 2006;20:835-846.
ABSTRACT  

Tai chi chuan: mind-body practice or exercise intervention? Studying the benefit for cancer survivors.
Mansky et al.
Integr Cancer Ther 2006;5:192-201.
ABSTRACT  

Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women
Audette et al.
Age Ageing 2006;35:388-393.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The potential of a person-centered approach in caring for patients with cancer: a perspective from the UCLA center for East-west medicine.
Hui et al.
Integr Cancer Ther 2006;5:56-62.
ABSTRACT  

Regular tai chi chuan exercise enhances functional mobility and CD4CD25 regulatory T cells.
Yeh et al.
Br. J. Sports. Med. 2006;40:239-243.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Risk Indices Associated with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Cardiovascular Disease, and Possible Protection with Yoga: A Systematic Review
Innes et al.
J Am Board Fam Med 2005;18:491-519.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect of Tai Chi in adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Wang et al.
Rheumatology (Oxford) 2005;44:685-687.
FULL TEXT  

Mind-Body, Ki (Qi) and the Skin: Commentary on Irwin's 'Shingles Immunity and Health Functioning in the Elderly: Tai Chi Chih as a Behavioral Treatment'
Kobayashi and Ishii
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2005;2:113-116.
FULL TEXT  

Response to the Systematic Review of Tai Chi
Taylor-Piliae
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:2503-2503.
FULL TEXT  

Response to the Systematic Review of Tai Chi--Reply
Wang
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:2504-2504.
FULL TEXT  

Shingles Immunity and Health Functioning in the Elderly: Tai Chi Chih as a Behavioral Treatment
Irwin et al.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2004;1:223-232.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

23 Apr 2004 to 23 Jul 2004
Evid. Based Nurs. 2004;7:e4-e4.
FULL TEXT  

Research on Complementary Therapies in Home Care
DePalma
Home Health Care Management Practice 2004;16:521-523.
 

Evidently...
Lehman
Evid. Based Med. 2004;9:104-105.
FULL TEXT  

Other articles noted
Evid. Based Med. 2004;9:127-128.
FULL TEXT