@article{ref1,
title="Optimal exercise parameters of tai chi for balance performance in older adults: a meta-analysis",
journal="Journal of the American Geriatrics Society",
year="2021",
author="Wang, Le-Cong and Ye, Ming-Zhu and Xiong, Jian and Wang, Xiao-Qian and Wu, Jia-Wei and Zheng, Guo-Hua",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Tai chi is considered a safe and low-cost treatment for improving balance ability among an older population. However, there is no existing evidence on the optimal exercise parameters of tai chi for improving balance in older adults. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To investigate the optimal parameters of a tai chi intervention to improve balance performance of older adults. <br><br>DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical and China Biology Medicine were searched from inception until November 30, 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 60 years and over. MEASUREMENTS: Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of the included studies according to the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were conducted to elucidate the impact of tai chi training programs on balance measures. <br><br>RESULTS: Twenty-six eligible RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results showed that tai chi has moderate effects for improving proactive balance (weighted mean standardized mean differences [SMD(wm) ] = 0.61, 95% CI 0.33-0.89) and static steady-state balance (SMD(wm) = 0.62, 95% CI 0.30-0.95) and small effects for improving dynamic steady-state balance (SMD(wm) = 0.38, 95% CI 0.03-0.73) and balance test batteries (SMD(wm) = 0.47, 95% CI 0.13-0.81) in adults over 60 years of age. The practice frequency could predict the effects of tai chi on static steady-state balance, and the 24-form simplified Yang style tai chi (45-60 min/session, more than four sessions per week and at least 8 weeks) was the most optimal. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Tai chi is effective at improving the balance ability of adults over 60 years of age. A medium duration and high frequency of 24-form tai chi may be the optimal program for improving balance, but this evidence should be recommended with caution due to limitations of the methodology and small sample sizes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-8614",
doi="10.1111/jgs.17094",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17094"
}