The Effect of Taichi Practice on Attenuating Bone Mineral Density Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Liye Zou, Chaoyi Wang, Kevin Chen, Yankai Shu, Xiaoan Chen, Lin Luo and Xitang Zhao
Additional contact information
Liye Zou: Psychosomatic Laboratory, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA
Chaoyi Wang: College of Physical Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Kevin Chen: Integrative Medicine Lab, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Yankai Shu: College of Sports Science, Jishou 416000, China
Xiaoan Chen: College of Sports Science, Jishou 416000, China
Lin Luo: Department of Physical Education, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Xitang Zhao: Department of Physical Education, ZhaoQing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of practicing Taichi on attenuating bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Methods: Both electronic and manual searches were performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining Taichi for bone health. Two review authors independently performed study selection and data extraction according to inclusion criteria. A third party (Lin Luo) emerged to discuss with the two review authors and resolve a disagreement. Results: Twenty RCTs were found to meet the inclusion criteria and used for meta-analysis with a total effective sample of 1604. The aggregated results from this systematic review have shown significant benefits in favour of Taichi on BMD at lumbar spine (Standard Mean Difference, SMD) = 0.29; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.43; p < 0.0001), femur neck (SMD = 0.56; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.75; p < 0.00001), femur trochanter (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.007), total hip BMD (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.76; p = 0.003). Conclusion s : The aggregated results from this systematic review suggests that Taichi is effective on attenuating BMD loss at the regions of lumbar spine and proximal femur neck in special populations (e.g., older adults, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, people with osteoarthritis, and cancer survivors). Researchers should further examine the effect of Taichi on the proximal femur trochanter and total hip so that a more definitive claim can be made regarding the beneficial effects for attenuating BMD loss in these musculoskeletal regions.

Keywords: Taichi; Taijiquan; bone mineral density; meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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