Hao Liang1, Shangpeng Luo2, Xiaoyun Chen1, Yongmei Lu1, Zhuyun Liu3, Lin Wei4. 1. School of Nursing, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No.232 Waihuan East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China. 2. Department of Joint Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Nanta Road 102, Beihu District, Chenzhou 423000, Hunan, China. 3. Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dade Road 111, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China. 4. Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dade Road 111, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: weilin22@gzucm.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the major attributable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The effect of Tai Chi on essential hypertension (EH) is contentious. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of Tai Chi on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and quality of life in adults with EH. METHODS: Using data collected from 15 databases up to December 2018, we meta-analyzed randomized controlled trials of the effect of Tai Chi on EH. RESULTS: Tai Chi exercise was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD -12.47, 95%CI -16.00 to -8.94, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD -6.46, 95%CI -8.28 to -4.64, P < 0.001); better quality of life (SMD 0.62, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.90, P < 0.001); lower lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (WMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.37, P < 0.001), triglycerides (WMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.07, P = 0.02), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD -0.86, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.43, P < 0.001); and lower blood glucose (WMD -0.91, 95% CI -1.59 to -0.23, P = 0.009). Tai Chi had no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (WMD -0.92, 95% CI -2.21 to -0.37, P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi lowers blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and blood glucose and significantly increases the quality of life in adults with EH. There is strong evidence for the short-term efficacy of Tai Chi exercises. Larger well-designed RCTs focused on the long-term effect of Tai Chi exercises and patient adherence are needed.
BACKGROUND:Hypertension is the major attributable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The effect of Tai Chi on essential hypertension (EH) is contentious. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of Tai Chi on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and quality of life in adults with EH. METHODS: Using data collected from 15 databases up to December 2018, we meta-analyzed randomized controlled trials of the effect of Tai Chi on EH. RESULTS: Tai Chi exercise was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD -12.47, 95%CI -16.00 to -8.94, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD -6.46, 95%CI -8.28 to -4.64, P < 0.001); better quality of life (SMD 0.62, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.90, P < 0.001); lower lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (WMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.37, P < 0.001), triglycerides (WMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.07, P = 0.02), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD -0.86, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.43, P < 0.001); and lower blood glucose (WMD -0.91, 95% CI -1.59 to -0.23, P = 0.009). Tai Chi had no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (WMD -0.92, 95% CI -2.21 to -0.37, P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi lowers blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and blood glucose and significantly increases the quality of life in adults with EH. There is strong evidence for the short-term efficacy of Tai Chi exercises. Larger well-designed RCTs focused on the long-term effect of Tai Chi exercises and patient adherence are needed.