Age-associated decline in cognition and balance may cause severe ability loss for daily living activities among middle-aged and older adults. The relationship between cognition and balance in this ...aging population remains to be explored.
The present study Is exploratory in nature and aimed to examine the relationship between balance (both static and dynamic components) and global cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults through Tai Chi (TC) practice as a research avenue.
A short-term (12 weeks) intervention of TC was conducted among middle-aged and older adults in the community setting. Global cognitive function (using the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (MoCA) and balance (i.e., one leg standing test score; Timed Up and Go Test score, TUGT) of all participants were assessed before and after the intervention. Age, body mass index (BMI), sex, and physical fitness variables (Chair Stand Test, CST; the 6-Meter Walk Test, 6MWT) were also collected as confounding factors.
Significant moderator effects of baseline CST on the association between the dichotomized baseline MoCA score and the baseline left leg balance score (
= 0.0247), the baseline right leg balance score (
= 0.0140) and the baseline TUGT score (
= 0.0346) were found. Change score of left score balance (
= 0.0192) and change score of TUGT (
= 0.0162) were found to be significantly associated with change score of cognitive function.
Cognitive function and balance are interrelated in middle-aged and older adults. The association between global cognitive function and balance Is moderated by strength of lower limbs. The change scores of cognitive function and balance introduced by TC training were found to be positively correlated. Future research Is warranted to further confirm the cause-effect relationship of cognitive function and balance and its influencing factors among middle-aged and older adults utilizing intervention studies with larger sample sizes.
Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai ...Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind⁻body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted.
To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic.
Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis.
meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56,
< 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52,
< 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35,
< 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44,
< 0.001, I2 = 68.54%).
Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind⁻body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
•Postural stability is a key component of functional mobility.•Tai Chi is thought to improve physical functions of individuals with Parkinson's disease.•Tai Chi has significant effects on functional ...mobility, balance and falls in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi on functional mobility, balance and falls in Parkinson's disease.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify the systematic reviews and meta-analyses up to the end of October 2021. 601 studies were identified, and 16 of them were included in our study.
According to our meta-analysis; there was a significant effect of Tai Chi on balance (SMD, −0.777 95% CI −0.921 to -0.633; p = 0.000), functional mobility (SMD, −0.719 95% CI −0.944 to -0.494; p = 0.000), and falls (SMD, −0.456 95% CI −0.668 to -0.245; p = 0.000) in PD.
Our systematic review and meta-analysis found significant effects of Tai Chi on functional mobility, balance and falls in patients with PD.
With the popularization of computer animation techniques in the application fields, traditional cultural communication modes are gradually combined with modern computer animation techniques to ...develop new communication modes. As a cultural brand of the Chinese nation and treasure of Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi, is a precious cultural resource in our country. Through the analysis of computer animation techniques and traditional cultural communication modes, a communication mode for Tai Chi culture based on computer animation techniques is proposed, which plays a certain guiding role in the communication of Tai Chi culture.
Abstract Purpose To systematically evaluate and quantify the effects of Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) on motor (UPDRS III, balance, falls, Timed-Up-and-Go, and 6-Minute Walk) and non-motor (depression and ...cognition) function, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods A systematic search on 7 electronic databases targeted clinical studies evaluating TCQ for individuals with PD published through August 2016. Meta-analysis was used to estimate effect sizes (Hedge's g) and publication bias for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methodological bias in RCTs was assessed by two raters. Results Our search identified 21 studies, 15 of which were RCTs with a total of 755 subjects. For RCTs, comparison groups included no treatment (n = 7, 47%) and active interventions (n = 8, 53%). Duration of TCQ ranged from 2 to 6 months. Methodological bias was low in 6 studies, moderate in 7, and high in 2. Fixed-effect models showed that TCQ was associated with significant improvement on most motor outcomes (UPDRS III ES = −0.444, p < 0.001, balance ES = 0.544, p < 0.001, Timed-Up-and-Go ES = −0.341, p = 0.005, 6 MW ES = −0.293, p = 0.06, falls ES = −0.403, p = 0.004, as well as depression ES = −0.457, p = 0.008 and QOL ES = −0.393, p < 0.001, but not cognition ES = −0.225, p = 0.477). I2 indicated limited heterogeneity. Funnel plots suggested some degree of publication bias. Conclusion Evidence to date supports a potential benefit of TCQ for improving motor function, depression and QOL for individuals with PD, and validates the need for additional large-scale trials.
One in two older adults report sleep problems, which not only cause fatigue, but also negatively affect general functioning, activities of daily living, and physical and mental health. Although it is ...known that physical activity is positively associated with sleep in older adults, the effects of physical activity programs on sleep in older adults has not been reviewed. The aim of this systematic review was to systematically review the effects of physical activity programs on sleep in generally healthy older adults aged 60+ years.
Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PEDro and CINAHL. The methodological quality of the included studies was rated using the 'Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies'. Only studies of moderate and strong quality were included. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018094007).
Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria (six randomised controlled trials and eight pretest-posttest studies). Of these studies, five were moderate and nine were strong quality studies. Mean age of study samples ranged from 64 to 76 years. Exercise programs included various activities aimed at improving mobility, endurance and strength. Intervention duration ranged from 2 weeks to 12 months. Eleven studies used subjective measures of sleep, two used objective measures and one used both. Sixteen different sleep outcomes were reported. All but one study, found at least one significant improvement on sleep outcomes. No significantly detrimental effects were reported. Effect sizes, calculated in ten studies, ranged from 0,34-1,55 and were substantial (≥0,8) in four studies.
This systematic review suggests that exercise programs positively affect various aspects of sleep in generally healthy older adults. More specifically, moderate intensity exercise programs, with a frequency of three times per week and a duration of 12 weeks up to 6 months, showed the highest number of significant improvements in different sleep outcomes in older adults. Furthermore, programs that offered single exercise types, such as Baduanjin, Tai chi and the silver yoga program, or a combination of exercises showed the highest proportion of significant versus reported effects on sleep outcomes.
Chinese mind-body exercises (CMBEs) are positively associated with executive function (EF), but their effects on EF, from synthesized evidence using systematic and meta-analytic reviews, have not ...been conducted. Therefore, the present systematic review with meta-analysis attempted to determine whether CMBEs affect EF and its sub-domains, as well as how exercise, sample, and study characteristics moderate the causal relationship between CMBEs and EF in middle-aged and older adults. Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published from the inception of each database through June 2020 (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Weipu). Randomized controlled trials with at least one outcome measure of CMBEs on EF in adults of mean age ≥ 50 years with intact cognition or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and with or without chronic diseases were included. A total of 29 studies (
N
= 2,934) ultimately were included in this study. The results indicated that CMBEs improved overall EF (Standardized Mean Differences = 0.28, 95% CI 0.12, 0.44), as well as its sub-domains of working memory and shifting. The beneficial effects of CMBEs on EF occurred regardless of type (Tai Chi, Qigong), frequency of group classes (≤2 time, 3-4 time, ≥5 times), session time (≤45 min, 46-60 min), total training time (≥150 to ≤300 min, >300 min), and length of the CMBEs (4-12 week, 13-26 week, and >26 week), in addition to that more frequent participation in both group classes and home practice sessions (≥5 times per week) resulted in more beneficial effects. The positive effects of CMBEs on EF were also demonstrated, regardless of participants mean age (50-65 years old, >65 years old), sex (only female, both), and cognitive statuses (normal, MCI, not mentioned), health status (with chronic disease, without chronic disease), as well as training mode (group class, group class plus home practice) and study language (English, Chinese). This review thus suggests that CMBEs can be used as an effective method with small to moderate and positive effects in enhancing EF, and that more frequent group classes and home practice sessions may increase these effects. However, certain limitations, including strictly design studies, limited ES (effect size) samples for specific variables, and possible biased publications, required paying particular attention to, for further exploring the effects of CMBEs on EF.
Background:
The efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE)-based interventions in the improvement of sleep quality is controversial. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize randomized ...controlled trials (RCTs) that outline the effects of TCE on sleep quality.
Methods:
Five databases (Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Medline, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for literature published before July 2022. RCTs examining TCE interventions were included. The treatment effects were estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis model with mean differences (MDs). There were 2 outcome scales for sleep quality; however, because they were extremely contrastive to be analyzed by standard MD, the scales were analyzed separately to ensure the accuracy of the results. This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (identifier CRD42023421314).
Results:
Twenty studies were included for analysis at last. The outcome was calculated using the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale (MD: 344.17, 95% confidence interval: 316.95 to 371.39,
P
< .00001) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep quality (MD: −2.24, 95% confidence interval: −3.05 to −1.43,
P
< .00001), both showed improvement effect. In subgroup analysis, for patients with fibromyalgia, normal older adults, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness, knee osteoarthritis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, pausimenia, insomnia, TCE could improve sleep quality. However, there was no significant improvement in stroke patients, breast cancer patients, normal college students, and episodic migraine patients. Tai Chi had greater effects in improving sleep quality than Qigong. In addition, the participants practice site, duration, and age did not influence the effects of TCE.
Conclusion:
TCE can improve sleep quality in specific populations in specific populations clinical applications. Tai chi should be considered first to improve sleep quality. However, further extensive trials and rigorous study designs should be conducted to strengthen the findings of this study. In addition, considering the large heterogeneity, the findings of our study should be interpreted cautiously.
Prehypertension seems to be the precursor to hypertension, and using non-pharmacological methods such as tai chi, can reduce blood pressure and its dangerous consequences. Therefore, this study aimed ...to examine the effects of 8-form Yang-style tai chi on cardiovascular responses and stress reduction in prehypertensive subjects.Sixty prehypertensive men and women aged 25 to 54 years were selected by purposive sampling, and randomly assigned into two experimental groups (15 males and 15 females) and two control groups (15 males and 15 females). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and resting heart rate were measured by digital sphygmomanometer and stress was measured using Markham mental pressure inventory. Then, the experimental groups completed tai chi training for 45 minutes, three days per week for 8 weeks, however, the control groups received no intervention. Twenty four hours after completing the training, the dependent variables were re-measured in the study groups. Factorial multivariate analysis of covariance was used for statistical analysis. The results showed that tai chi significantly decreased systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, and stress in comparison with control group. Our study encourages and supports that a short style of tai chi is an effective way in improving cardiovascular responses and stress in prehypertensive individuals.
In this study, the aim was to evaluate the impact of Tai Ji on perceived quality of life (QoL). To this end, an anonymous online questionnaire was designed, compatible with the guidelines of the WHO ...for the definition of QoL, on the Microsoft Forms platform, using multiple-choice questions, short text answers, and Likert-based scales. The questionnaire was made public to practitioners of the Flow Tai Ji Center in Greece. The results showed that Tai Ji greatly improved the overall QoL for most participants, with more than 80% positive opinions.
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