The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis assess the impact of Tai Chi on emotional well-being and quality of life in elderly individuals with depression.MethodsSearching six databases until October 20, 2024, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, and CNKI, for...

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Main Authors: Fengya Zhu, Yuan Wang, Shao Yin, Junqian Liu, Yue Zhong, Liuying Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1489384/full
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author Fengya Zhu
Yuan Wang
Shao Yin
Junqian Liu
Yue Zhong
Liuying Li
author_facet Fengya Zhu
Yuan Wang
Shao Yin
Junqian Liu
Yue Zhong
Liuying Li
author_sort Fengya Zhu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis assess the impact of Tai Chi on emotional well-being and quality of life in elderly individuals with depression.MethodsSearching six databases until October 20, 2024, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, and CNKI, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Participants were aged ≥60 and diagnosed with depression. Tai Chi served as the main intervention in the treatment group, with the control group receiving no exercise, or only health education. The primary outcomes focused on the improvement of depressive symptoms and quality of life. Data synthesis and meta-analysis were performed using Stata 15.1 software. The protocol of this study was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023479305).ResultsTai Chi, as the main intervention, significantly improved depressive symptoms as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (WMD = −5.99, 95% CI: −10.80 to −1.19, p = 0.015) compared to no exercise or health education. Subgroup analysis favored a six-month duration of Tai Chi, showing even greater benefits (WMD = −9.79, 95% CI: −13.90 to −5.69, p < 0.001). However, Tai Chi did not demonstrate a significant advantage in improving participants’ scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale (WMD = −1.04, 95% CI: −3.84 to 1.76, p = 0.468).ConclusionOur results indicate that Tai Chi can significantly improve depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals with depression. As a daily exercise and mind–body therapy to alleviate the mood of the elderly, it is necessary to conduct more large-sample RCTs. Further research on the details of Tai Chi, such as movements, frequency, duration, and exercise periods, is essential for a dose–response relationship, contributing to the standardized promotion of Tai Chi.
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spelling doaj-art-6a60a80455cc4d2ab9061e04bf51ec612024-11-29T04:32:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-11-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.14893841489384The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsFengya Zhu0Yuan Wang1Shao Yin2Junqian Liu3Yue Zhong4Liuying Li5Zigong First People’s Hospital, Zigong, ChinaAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, ChinaHospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, ChinaAcupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, ChinaZigong First People’s Hospital, Zigong, ChinaZigong First People’s Hospital, Zigong, ChinaObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis assess the impact of Tai Chi on emotional well-being and quality of life in elderly individuals with depression.MethodsSearching six databases until October 20, 2024, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, and CNKI, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Participants were aged ≥60 and diagnosed with depression. Tai Chi served as the main intervention in the treatment group, with the control group receiving no exercise, or only health education. The primary outcomes focused on the improvement of depressive symptoms and quality of life. Data synthesis and meta-analysis were performed using Stata 15.1 software. The protocol of this study was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023479305).ResultsTai Chi, as the main intervention, significantly improved depressive symptoms as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (WMD = −5.99, 95% CI: −10.80 to −1.19, p = 0.015) compared to no exercise or health education. Subgroup analysis favored a six-month duration of Tai Chi, showing even greater benefits (WMD = −9.79, 95% CI: −13.90 to −5.69, p < 0.001). However, Tai Chi did not demonstrate a significant advantage in improving participants’ scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale (WMD = −1.04, 95% CI: −3.84 to 1.76, p = 0.468).ConclusionOur results indicate that Tai Chi can significantly improve depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals with depression. As a daily exercise and mind–body therapy to alleviate the mood of the elderly, it is necessary to conduct more large-sample RCTs. Further research on the details of Tai Chi, such as movements, frequency, duration, and exercise periods, is essential for a dose–response relationship, contributing to the standardized promotion of Tai Chi.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1489384/fullelderlydepressionTai Chiquality of lifemeta-analysis
spellingShingle Fengya Zhu
Yuan Wang
Shao Yin
Junqian Liu
Yue Zhong
Liuying Li
The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Psychology
elderly
depression
Tai Chi
quality of life
meta-analysis
title The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_short The effect of Tai Chi on elderly depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_sort effect of tai chi on elderly depression a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
topic elderly
depression
Tai Chi
quality of life
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1489384/full
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