A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease from 2003 to 2013*

Abstract

Objective/Background This study aims to review the current evidence on the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the past 10 years. Methods A systematic review of studies published in English from 2003 to 2013, retrieved from three electronic databases—MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and ScienceDirect—was performed. The review selected only those studies that investigated the effects of Tai Chi exercise on individuals with PD and had a full-length publication. Methodological qualities of the randomized control trials were appraised based on the modified Jadad scale. Results Of the 702 articles, eight publications, including four randomized controlled trials, two single-arm intervention studies, and two case reports, were reviewed. Results of this review show that there is an inconsistency of strong empirical evidence to support the efficacy of Tai Chi exercise in the PD population. Furthermore, this review reveals that there is a lack of scientific rigor in the experimental designs of the trials conducted to examine the effects of Tai Chi intervention on the PD population. Conclusion Because of the small sample and inconclusive results, this review cannot provide a firm conclusion to support or refute the effectiveness of Tai Chi in improving motor or nonmotor performance in patients with PD. Further research is required to investigate whether there are specific benefits of Tai Chi for people with PD in these areas and future review should include non-English studies, which examine the use of Tai Chi with this type of population.