Tai Chi as a Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Reducing Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Xiandu Pan; Li Tian; Fan Yang; Jiahao Sun; Xinye Li; Na An; Yanfen Xing; Xin Su; Xu Liu; Can Liu; Yonghong Gao; Yanwei Xing

doi:10.1155/2021/4094325

Tai Chi as a Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Reducing Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Sep 4:2021:4094325. doi: 10.1155/2021/4094325. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Xiandu Pan^{1

2}, Li Tian^{1

2}, Fan Yang², Jiahao Sun^{1

2}, Xinye Li², Na An³, Yanfen Xing⁴, Xin Su², Xu Liu², Can Liu², Yonghong Gao³, Yanwei Xing²

Affiliations

¹ Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
² Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
⁴ Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China.

Abstract

Objective: This study systematically evaluated the effects of Tai Chi exercise on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life (QOL) in patients with hypertension. A meta-analysis was performed to provide a reliable reference for clinical practice.

Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in five English databases and two Chinese databases, with the earliest data dated December 5, 2020. A quality assessment of the methods and a meta-analysis were also conducted.

Results: The meta-analysis of 24 studies showed that the intervention group showed better outcomes in terms of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD -1.05, 95% CI -1.44 to -0.67, P ≤ 0.001; I ² = 93.7%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (SMD -0.91, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.58, P ≤ 0.001; I ² = 91.9%), and QOL (physical functioning (SMD 0.86, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.37, P=0.001; I ² = 91.3%), role-physical (SMD 0.86, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.11, P ≤ 0.001; I ² = 65%), general health (SMD 0.75, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.17, P=0.001; I ² = 88.1%), bodily pain (SMD 0.65, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.00, P ≤ 0.001; I ² = 83.1%), vitality (SMD 0.71, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.07, P ≤ 0.001; I ² = 84.3%), social functioning (SMD 0.63, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.19, P=0.027; I ² = 93.1%), role-emotional (SMD 0.64, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.06, P=0.003; I ² = 88.1%), and mental health (SMD 0.73, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.16, P=0.001; I ² = 88.2%)) compared to those of the control group. However, no significant improvements were seen in BMI of the intervention group (SMD -0.08, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.19, P=0.554; I ² = 69.4%) compared to that of the control group.

Conclusion: Tai Chi is an effective intervention to improve SBP and DBP in patients with essential hypertension.