A new study conducted by Chinese researchers shows that traditional Chinese exercises, including Tai Chi and Baduanjin, help improve physical function, psychological health, sleep quality, and more in some patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
The research team from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, and other institutions included a total of 92 systematic reviews and meta-analyses based on randomized controlled trials, with the summarized data involving 1,744 original randomized controlled trials. Comprehensive analysis results showed that traditional Chinese exercises such as Tai Chi can improve the physical function and psychological health of patients with knee osteoarthritis, the psychological health of patients with neck pain, as well as the sleep quality of patients with fibromyalgia. Analysis of Tai Chi also indicated that it can alleviate pain and stiffness caused by chronic musculoskeletal disorders, and improve bone mineral density in multiple weight-bearing areas in people with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
The research team further found that, for patients with knee osteoarthritis and those with osteopenia or osteoporosis, benefits are generally greater when these exercises are performed for longer durations, at least three times a week, with a total weekly duration of at least 150 minutes. The researchers believe that such exercises can serve as a complement to conventional therapies, and their findings support their inclusion in clinical guidelines and rehabilitation programs.
However, the researchers noted that large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials with follow-up are still needed in the future, as well as further comparison of different exercise types to clarify the optimal frequency, duration, and total weekly amount for practice.
The related paper was recently published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.