Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint. With no cure currently available, the goals of treating OA are to alleviate pain, maintain, or improve joint mobility, increase the muscle strength of the joints, and minimize the disabling effects of the disease. Recent research has suggested that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) exercises may improve OA symptoms. This paper covers CAM mind-body exercises—Tai Chi, qigong, and yoga—for OA management and evaluates their benefits in pain reduction, muscle strength, physical function, stiffness, balance, fear of falling, self-efficacy, quality of life, and psychological outcomes in patients with OA, based on randomized controlled trials published. Findings from the literature suggest that CAM exercises demonstrate considerable promise in the management of OA. Future studies require rigorous randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disorder, is a major cause of disability in the aging population with its prevalence increasing and consequences significantly impacting society [1]
The aim of this study is to review the evidence provided by published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for the effect of tai chi (TC), qigong, or yoga on various clinical and quality of life outcomes among people with OA
Compared to the attention control group, TC group (i) reduced pain (VAS, WOMAC), (ii) improved physical function (WOMAC), (iii) showed no difference in stiffness (WOMAC), (iv) showed no difference in knee range of motion for flexion and extension assessed by goniometry
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disorder, is a major cause of disability in the aging population with its prevalence increasing and consequences significantly impacting society [1]. It is estimated that almost 18% of women and 10% of men 60 years of age and older have symptomatic OA [3]. Eighty percent of those with OA report limitations in movement, while 25% report inability to perform major daily activities of life [3]. Well-established modifiable risk factors of OA include overweight, injury, occupation, structural malalignment, and muscle weakness, while nonmodifiable risk factors include older age, female gender, race, and genetic predisposition [2]
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