Riassunto dello studio

Twenty-one randomized controlled trials with 2,494 patients were included in this meta-analysis comparing Tai-Chi intervention to control (no form of Tai Chi or treatment; educational sessions, topic discussion; stretching/controlled breathing exercises; psychosocial support therapy; yoga/standard balance; or other classes/activities. Outcomes of interest included strength (i.e. handgrip strength, knee extensor muscle strength), physical endurance/functional capacity (i.e. 6-minute walking distance [6MWT]), postural balance/flexibility (i.e. thoracolumbar spine flexibility, single-leg stance [SLS] with eyes open). Pooled results revealed that statistically significant differences between groups in favour of the Tai Chi group, with the exception of pooled knee extensor muscle strength which was not statistically significantly different between groups.