Abstract
Objective This study aims to explore the influences of Tai Chi on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Methods Databases including PubMed, Embase, WOS (Web of Science), the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Data, VIP (VIP database), and CBM (China Biology Medicine disc) were retrieved to gather the figures of randomized controlled trials on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Then relevant data were input and analyzed in Review Manager 5.3. Results Nineteen papers were included and analyzed in this study. According to the combined effect size, the balance function of stroke patients improved significantly: the Berg Balance Function Scale score [MD = 7.67, 95% CI (3.44, 11.90)]; standing and walking test scores [MD = 3.42, 95% CI (4.22, −2.63)]; gravity swing area [MD = 0.79, 95% CI (1.48, 0.10)]; and gravity swing speed [MD = −5.43, 95% CI (−7.79, 3.08)]. In addition, the exercise capacity improved significantly as well: the FMA (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale) scale score [MD = 4.15, 95% CI (1.68, 6.63)]. There are no significant influences or changes of other related results. Conclusions Stroke patients are able to improve their balance functions and exercise capacities prominently when they do Tai Chi exercise once or twice a week and ≥5 times/week and >30 ≤ 60 min/time.
Highlights
Stroke, a common and frequently occurring disease among middle-aged and elderly people, is a disease of brain tissue damage caused by the sudden rupture of cerebral blood vessels or vascular obstruction, which has high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality rate [1]
None of the randomized controlled trial studies on Tai Chi intervention have been integrated to analyze the role of Tai Chi on stroke. erefore, this study aims to clarify the effect of Tai Chi on the balance function and exercise ability among stroke patients, as well as illustrate the influences of various exercise variables among the patients, so as to provide references for the development of precise exercise programs
Two papers studied the influences of Tai Chi on the 6 m walking experiment. e heterogeneity results showed that I2 89%, P 0.003 < 0.05, so the random effects model was selected to conduct metaanalysis of the results, and the results showed that the combined effect size was [Mean Difference (MD) 30.94, 95% CI (−11.34, 73.23)]
Summary
A common and frequently occurring disease among middle-aged and elderly people, is a disease of brain tissue damage caused by the sudden rupture of cerebral blood vessels or vascular obstruction, which has high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality rate [1]. Hemiplegia is one of the most common sequelae of stroke, whose patients usually lose muscle strength and balance function of one limb, making them inconvenient or unable to move at all [2]. Around 80% of stroke patients suffer from impairment of lower limb motor function [3], which severely troubles their daily activities and lowers their quality of life [4]. E evidence of quantitative research shows that Tai Chi can relax the tense muscles of patients, enhance their flexibility and strength, inhibit the occurrence of abnormal postures and spasms, improve the balance function, enhance the normal exercise ability and control ability of stroke patients, and have many. As a low-intensity aerobic exercise, Tai Chi is a safe, effective, and inexpensive adjuvant therapy and rehabilitation method [5] and has been reported many times in recent years for being applied in daily rehabilitation of patients with chronic diseases and the elderly [6]. e evidence of quantitative research shows that Tai Chi can relax the tense muscles of patients, enhance their flexibility and strength, inhibit the occurrence of abnormal postures and spasms, improve the balance function, enhance the normal exercise ability and control ability of stroke patients, and have many
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