Fatigue is not only a familiar symptom in our daily lives, but also a common ailment that affects all of our bodily systems. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have proven Tai Chi to be ...beneficial for patients suffering from fatigue, however conclusive evidence is still lacking. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on all RCTs reporting the effects of Tai Chi for fatigue.
In the end of April 2016, seven electronic databases were searched for RCTs involving Tai Chi for fatigue. The search terms mainly included Tai Chi, Tai-ji, Taiji, fatigue, tiredness, weary, weak, and the search was conducted without language restrictions. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Publication bias was estimated with a funnel plot and Egger's test. We also assessed the quality of evidence with the GRADE system.
Ten trials (n = 689) were included, and there was a high risk of bias in the blinding. Two trials were determined to have had low methodological quality. Tai Chi was found to have improved fatigue more than conventional therapy (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.70, -0.20) overall, and have positive effects in cancer-related fatigue (SMD:-0.38, 95% CI: -0.65, -0.11). Tai Chi was also more effective on vitality (SMD: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.20, 1.07), sleep (SMD: -0.32, 95% CI: -0.61, -0.04) and depression (SMD: -0.58, 95% CI: -1.04, -0.11). However, no significant difference was found in multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (SMD: -0.77, 95% CI: -1.76, 0.22) and age-related fatigue (SMD: -0.77, 95% CI: -1.78, 0.24). No adverse events were reported among the included studies. The quality of evidence was moderate in the GRADE system.
The results suggest that Tai Chi could be an effective alternative and /or complementary approach to existing therapies for people with fatigue. However, the quality of the evidence was only moderate and may have the potential for bias. There is still absence of adverse events data to evaluate the safety of Tai Chi. Further multi-center RCTs with large sample sizes and high methodological quality, especially carefully blinded design, should be conducted in future research.
PROSPERO CRD42016033066.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To review existing exercise guidelines for cancer patients and survivors for the management of symptom clusters.
Review of PubMed literature and published exercise guidelines.
Cancer and its ...treatments are responsible for a copious number of incapacitating symptoms that markedly impair quality of life. The exercise oncology literature provides consistent support for the safety and efficacy of exercise interventions in managing cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, as well as improving quality of life in cancer patients and survivors.
Effective management of symptoms enhances recovery, resumption of normal life activities and quality of life for patients and survivors. Exercise is a safe, appropriate, and effective therapeutic option before, during, and after the completion of treatment for alleviating symptoms and symptom clusters.
The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of people living with dementia and their informal carers' taking part together (in dyads) in Tai Chi classes and the aspects influencing ...their adherence. Dyads' experiences of taking part in Tai Chi classes for 20 weeks within the TACIT Trial were explored through class observations (n = 22 dyads), home-interviews (n = 15 dyads), and feedback. Data were inductively coded following thematic analysis. Tai Chi classes designed for people with dementia and their informal carers were enjoyable and its movements, easy to learn. Facilitators of participants' adherence were the socializing component and their enjoyment of the classes, whereas unexpected health problems were the main barrier. Finding the optimal level of challenge in the class setting might be crucial for people with dementia to feel satisfied with their progression over sessions and enable their continued participation.
At present, the effect of Tai Chi (TC) on lower limb function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis on the influence of TC on lower limb ...function in PD patients.
According to the PRISMA guidelines, seven databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTS) were selected and screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. We assessed the quality of the studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and then extracted the characteristics of the included studies. The random effect model was adopted, and heterogeneity was measured by
statistic.
A total of 441 articles were screened, and 10 high-quality RCTs were with a total of 532 patients with PD met Our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that compared To control groups TC improved several outcomes. TC significantly improved motor function (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI = -0.95, -0.45;
< 0.001;
= 35%), although The results were not statistically significant for The subgroup analysis of TC duration (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI = -0.95, -0.45;
= 0.88;
= 0%;). TC significantly improved balance function (SMD = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.51, 1.27;
< 0.001;
= 54%), functional walking capacity (SMD = -1.24; 95% CI = -2.40, -0.09;
= 0.04;
= 95%), and gait velocity (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI = -0.02, 0.94;
= 0.04;
= 78%), But Did Not improve endurance (SMD = 0.31; 95% CI = -0.12, 0.75;
= 0.16;
= 0%), step length (SMD = 0.01; 95% CI = -0.34, 0.37;
= 0.94;
= 29%), and cadence (SMD = 0.06; 95% CI = -0.25, 0.36;
= 0.70;
= 0%).
TC has beneficial effects on motor function, balance function, functional walking ability, and gait velocity, but does not improve walking endurance, stride length, and cadence.
STUDY DESIGN.Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE.This secondary analysis aims to examine associations of improvement of chronic neck pain with patients’ and ...intervention-related characteristics.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.Previous research has found that Tai Chi and neck exercises significantly improved chronic nonspecific neck pain; however, the factors for treatment success remain unclear.
METHODS.Subjects with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group Tai Chi or conventional neck exercises, and they attended 12 weekly sessions of 60 to 90 minutes. The interventions included exercises to improve body awareness, that is, interoceptive and postural awareness. A linear forward stepwise regression analysis was conducted to examine associations with improvements in neck pain intensity. Potential predictor variables included baseline pain, age, sex, the type of intervention, attendance rate and home practice duration, and changes in psychological well-being, perceived stress, and postural and interoceptive awareness during the study.
RESULTS.Overall 75 patients were randomized into Tai Chi or conventional exercises, with the majority being women (78.7%). Participants reported an average pain intensity of 50.7 ± 20.4 mm visual analog scale at baseline, and the average reduction of pain intensity in both groups was 21.4 ± 21.3 mm visual analog scale. Regression analysis revealed that reductions in pain intensity from baseline to 12 weeks were predicted by higher pain intensity at baseline (r = 0.226, P < 0.001), a decrease in anxiety (r = 0.102, P = 0.001), and an increase in postural awareness (r = 0.078, P = 0.0033), explaining a total of 40.6% of variance.
CONCLUSION.Neck pain improvement was significantly associated with changes in postural awareness in subject with chronic nonspecific neck pain independent of treatment characteristics. Training of postural awareness might be an important mechanism of action of different exercise-based interventions for chronic neck pain.Level of EvidenceN /A
Mind-body practices are increasingly used to provide stress reduction for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mind-body practice encompasses activities with the intent to use the mind to impact ...physical functioning and improve health.
This is a literature review using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Published International Literature on Traumatic Stress to identify the effects of mind-body intervention modalities, such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and deep breathing, as interventions for PTSD.
The literature search identified 92 articles, only 16 of which were suitable for inclusion in this review. We reviewed only original, full text articles that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies have small sample size, but findings from the 16 publications reviewed here suggest that mind-body practices are associated with positive impacts on PTSD symptoms. Mind-body practices incorporate numerous therapeutic effects on stress responses, including reductions in anxiety, depression, and anger, and increases in pain tolerance, self-esteem, energy levels, ability to relax, and ability to cope with stressful situations. In general, mind-body practices were found to be a viable intervention to improve the constellation of PTSD symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, and increased emotional arousal.
Mind-body practices are increasingly used in the treatment of PTSD and are associated with positive impacts on stress-induced illnesses such as depression and PTSD in most existing studies. Knowledge about the diverse modalities of mind-body practices may provide clinicians and patients with the opportunity to explore an individualized and effective treatment plan enhanced by mind-body interventions as part of ongoing self-care.
Psychological effects of Tai Chi Chuan Jimenez, P.J; Melendez, A; Albers, U
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics,
09/2012, Letnik:
55, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Abstract This article reviews the scientific studies which have been carried out at the international level on the psychological benefits that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) brings to those who practice it. It ...analyzes the framework in which the research was performed, the real benefits that this activity achieves and their causes. The present article brings a new analytical perspective to the reviews carried out to date in regard to classifying and analyzing the psychological variables involved in the practice of TCC and offers a homogeneous framework within which to develop research in this field based on the model proposed by Spirduso et al. (2005).
To explore the appropriate exercise methods and means for astronauts in confined and small isolation conditions, a set of XunTian Tai Chi suitable for the spaceflight workforce was created, with the ...aim of discovering the practical effects of XunTian Tai Chi and providing a scientific basis for the subsequent development of new astronaut health maintenance techniques with Chinese characteristics. Using the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as a research platform, we observed the changes in a crew member’s emotion regulation-related indexes during 180 days of working and living in a confined isolation chamber through periodic interventions of the XunTian Tai Chi and conducted statistical analyses. During the 180-day cabin mission, expression suppression, cognitive reappraisal, attention index, and relaxation index were all lower than those before entering the cabin, suggesting that the crew member’s emotion regulation ability decreased during the in-cabin mission. A single Tai Chi exercise could cause favorable changes in the indicators, positively affecting the crew member's emotional regulation. The attention and relaxation indices of the occupants were improved significantly by both single and periodic Tai Chi exercises. After the Tai Chi exercise cycle, the results of each index showed a certain degree of effect. The 180-day ground-based simulation of Tai Chi in the confinement of a space capsule positively affects the occupant’s emotional regulation.
Post-stroke mental disorders (PSMDs) and post-stroke sleep disorders (PSSDs) are very common in stroke patients. Recently, Tai Chi (TC) as a form of Chinese traditional mind-body exercise has been ...gradually applied to stroke rehabilitation although its efficacy for PSMD and PSSD varies across different studies. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of TC training for PSMD and PSSD.
This review will only include randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Search strategy will be performed in 3 English databases, 4 Chinese databases, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. All English or Chinese RCTs, published from inception to February 28, 2019, will be sought. Two reviewers will screen, select studies, extract data, and assess quality independently. Primary outcomes are clinical scales, mainly including "Hamilton depression scale," "Hamilton anxiety scale," and "Pittsburgh sleep quality index." The methodological quality including the risk of bias of the included studies will be evaluated using a modified assessment form, which is based on Cochrane assessment tool and Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Review Manager Software (Revman5.3) will be used for heterogeneity assessment, generating funnel-plots, data synthesis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis. We will use GRADE system to evaluate the quality of our evidence.
We will provide some more practical and targeted results investigating the effect of TC exercise for PSMD and PSSD in the current meta-analysis. Meanwhile, we will ascertain study progress of TC for PSMD and PSSD and find out defects or inadequacies of previous studies, so that future researchers could get beneficial guidance for more rigorous study.
The stronger evidence about TC's rehabilitative effect and safety for PSMD and PSSD will be provided for clinicians and policymakers.
PROSPERO CRD42018106608.
We do not apply for formal ethical approval from ethics committee because all of the study data in our review will be obtained in an anonymous way. Findings of this study are projected to be disseminated through peer-review publications.
Previous systematic reviews elucidate the efficacy of Tai Chi on the rehabilitation and treatment for various chronic diseases. Yet, no consensus has been reached on its efficacy and safety from ...those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to critically summarize what is already known about the prevailing benefits of Tai Chi for CKD patients. There was no evidence that Tai Chi had adverse effects on CKD patients. Long-term Tai Chi exercises could improve quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical motor function for the end-stage renal disease (ERSD) patients undergoing dialysis. Regular Tai Chi exercises might exert modest influences in delaying CKD progression for mild–moderate CKD patients. However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate positive effects of Tai Chi exercises on bone health of the ESRD patients. Accordingly, rigorously designed, longer-term studies of Tai Chi are warranted to identify its efficacy on CKD patients across different stages, especially targeting potential mechanisms in terms of Tai Chi altering biological gene profile expressions.
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