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The effectiveness of tai chi in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Systematic review of 16 RCTs (n=1268): Tai Chi was not different from conventional supportive care for fatigue, sleep quality, depression, or BMI at 3 or 6 months, but improved overall quality of life at 3 months; as an adjunct to conventional therapy it improved fatigue at 3 months and QoL at 3 and 6 months versus conventional therapy alone.
Design
- SR + meta-analyses; databases through June 2019
- Included: 16 RCTs, 1268 participants with breast cancer
Outcomes (authors’ abstract)
- Tai Chi vs supportive care: no significant differences for fatigue, sleep quality, depression, or BMI at 3 or 6 months
- QoL: overall QoL improved at 3 months with Tai Chi
- Adjunctive Tai Chi + conventional therapy vs conventional alone: fatigue improved at 3 months; QoL improved at 3 and 6 months
Evidence hygiene
- Oncology-specific evidence—do not merge with depression-only Tai Chi trials or falls-prevention reviews without reading population and comparator arms.
Publication
Liu L, Tan H, Yu S, et al. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020 Feb;38:101078. PMID 32056814.
Outcomes
- Tai Chi vs conventional supportive care: no significant differences in fatigue, sleep quality, depression, or BMI at 3 or 6 months; overall quality of life improved at 3 months with Tai Chi (16 RCTs, n=1268).
- Tai Chi as adjunct to conventional therapy vs conventional alone: improved fatigue at 3 months and improved quality of life at 3 and 6 months (Liu et al. 2020).