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Review ArticlePractice

Health benefits of tai chi

What is the evidence?

Patricia Huston and Bruce McFarlane
Canadian Family Physician November 2016, 62 (11) 881-890;
Patricia Huston
Family physician and a public health physician with the Department of Family Medicine and the School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the University of Ottawa in Ontario.
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  • For correspondence: pg.huston@gmail.com
Bruce McFarlane
Family physician recently working in the central Arctic.
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Article Figures & Data

Figures

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    Figure 1.

    PubMed tai chi article citations by year: January 1974 to October 2015.

Tables

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    Table 1.

    Key features of tai chi

    FEATUREDESCRIPTION
    MindfulnessAwareness of the current moment is cultivated during tai chi by focusing on the body’s position, movements, and sensations
    ImageryImages are used as a learning strategy (eg, one of the moves is called wave hands like clouds)
    Structural alignmentMovements are biomechanically efficient, calling for the least amount of effort
    Flexibility and relaxationCircular and flowing motions provide dynamic stretching and help to shift the body and mind into a state of deeper relaxation
    Strength and balancePlacing weight on one foot at a time in a slightly flexed position leads to greater strength in the lower extremities and improved balance
    Natural breathingRhythmic breathing with movement appears to improve gas exchange and promote calmness
    Social supportPositive interactions within a community give a sense of belonging and support
    Integration of body, mind, and spiritTai chi creates a practical framework for living a more holistic life
    • Adapted from Wayne.3

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    Table 2.

    Tai chi research: Summary of evidence from 120 systematic reviews and recent clinical trials; there is very little evidence for italicized conditions.

    EXCELLENT EVIDENCE OF BENEFITGOOD EVIDENCE OF BENEFITFAIR EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT WITH MIXED RESULTSPRELIMINARY EVIDENCE OF BENEFITEVIDENCE OF NO DIRECT BENEFIT
    SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
    Preventing falls6–19
    • 14 systematic reviews


    Osteoarthritis25–38
    • 10 systematic reviews


    Parkinson disease39–53
    • 8 systematic reviews


    COPD rehabilitation54–59
    • 6 systematic reviews


    Improving cognitive capacity62–68
    • 5 systematic reviews

    Depression69–77
    • 8 systematic reviews


    Cardiac rehabilitation78–88
    • 6 systematic reviews


    Stroke rehabilitation89–95
    • 5 systematic reviews


    Cognitive impairment and dementia65,98
    • 2 systematic reviews

    Quality of life for cancer patients100–107
    • 7 systematic reviews


    Fibromyalgia108–114
    • 4 systematic reviews


    Hypertension117–121
    • 4 systematic reviews


    Osteoporosis122–126
    • 3 systematic reviews

    Stroke prevention127
    • 1 systematic review


    Anxiety69,129
    • 2 systematic reviews


    Low back pain130–133
    • 1 systematic review


    Postoperative arm mobility in breast cancer patients134
    • 1 systematic review

    Multiple sclerosis135–138
    Schizophrenia139,140
    PTSD141,142
    Attention deficit disorder143,144
    After brain and spinal cord injury146,147
    Diabetes (eg, HbA1c)149–153
    • 4 systematic reviews


    Rheumatoid arthritis154–157
    • 3 systematic reviews


    Chronic heart failure158–160
    • 2 systematic reviews

    GENERAL HEALTH AND FITNESS BENEFITS
    Balance,161–173
    • 10 systematic reviews


    Aerobic capacity159,174–178
    • 5 systematic reviews

    Strength159,178–182
    • 2 systematic reviews

    Well-being69,183–185
    • 4 systematic reviews

    Sleep186–191
    • 2 systematic reviews

    Flexibility163,173,178,182
    • 1 systematic review

    Immune capacity192
    Kidney function121,193,194
    NA
    • COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HbA1c—hemoglobin A1c, NA—not applicable, PTSD—posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Canadian Family Physician: 62 (11)
Canadian Family Physician
Vol. 62, Issue 11
1 Nov 2016
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Health benefits of tai chi
Patricia Huston, Bruce McFarlane
Canadian Family Physician Nov 2016, 62 (11) 881-890;

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