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The effect of Tai Chi in elderly individuals with sarcopenia and frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Eleven RCTs (1,676 adults ≥60 y with sarcopenia or frailty) show Tai Chi improves chair-stand performance, Timed Up-and-Go, falls, and fear of falling versus mixed controls; pooled muscle mass and grip strength did not differ significantly.
Design
- SR/MA of RCTs (1989–2022) with ≥10/arm, diagnosed sarcopenia or frailty
- Included: 11 RCTs, n = 1,676 (804 Tai chi vs 872 controls: non-exercise or other exercise)
- Typical dose: 8–48 weeks, 2–7×/week, 30–90 min/session; mostly Yang-style forms
Pooled signals favouring Tai Chi (selected)
- 30-second chair stand: WMD +2.36 reps (95% CI 1.50–3.21; p < 0.00001; I² = 87%)
- Timed Up-and-Go: WMD −0.72 s (95% CI −1.10 to −0.34; p = 0.0002)
- Falls: WMD −0.41 (95% CI −0.64 to −0.17; p = 0.0006)
- Fear of falling: SMD −0.50 (95% CI −0.79 to −0.22)
- Non-significant: lean mass, grip strength, gait speed, SPPB pooled contrasts (see subgroup splits vs non-exercise vs active controls)
Evidence hygiene
- High heterogeneity on some endpoints—interpret I² and control-type mixing before prescribing as a muscle-mass cure.
- Balance SMD reported in abstract tables mixes scales—read figure notes (values can look extreme if units are mishandled in secondary reporting).
Publication
Huang CY, Mayer PK, Wu MY, et al. Ageing Res Rev. 2022 Dec;82:101747. PMID 36223875.
Outcomes
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.5d (Cohen's d)
- Timed Up-and-Go improved with WMD −0.72 s (95% CI −1.10 to −0.34; p=0.0002); 30-second chair stand WMD +2.36 reps (95% CI 1.50–3.21).
- Pooled falls index WMD −0.41 (95% CI −0.64 to −0.17; p=0.0006) versus controls; no significant pooled differences for muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, or SPPB in the primary abstract contrasts.