Mind-Body Therapies From Traditional Chinese Medicine: Evidence Map

Abstract

Background: The mind-body therapies of traditional Chinese medicine include several intervention types and combine physical poses with conscious relaxation and breathing techniques. The purpose of this Evidence Map is to describe these different interventions and report related health outcomes.Methods: This evidence map is based on the 3iE Evidence Gap Map methodology. We searched seven electronic databases (BVS, PUBMED, EMBASE, PEDro, ScienceDirect, Web of Sciences, and PschyInfo) from inception to November 2019 and included systematic reviews only. Systematic reviews were analyzed based on AMSTAR 2. We used Tableau to graphically display quality assessment, the number of reviews, outcomes, and effects.Results: The map is based on 116 systematic reviews and 44 meta-analyses. Most of the reviews were published in the last 5 years. The most researched interventions were Tai Chi and Qi Gong. The reviews presented the following quality assessment: 80 high, 43 moderate, 23 low, and 14 critically low. Every 680 distinct outcome effect was classified: 421 as potential positive; 237 as positive; 21 as inconclusive/mixed; one potential negative and none no effect. Positive effects were related to chronic diseases; mental indicators and disorders; vitality, well-being, and quality of life. Potential positive effects were related to balance, mobility, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, joint pain, cognitive performance, and sleep quality. Inconclusive/mixed-effects justify further research, especially in the following areas: Acupressure as Shiatsu and Tuiná for nausea and vomiting; Tai Chi and Qi Gong for acute diseases, prevention of stroke, stroke risk factors, and schizophrenia.Conclusions: The mind-body therapies from traditional Chinese medicine have been applied in different areas and this Evidence Map provides a visualization of valuable information for patients, professionals, and policymakers, to promote evidence-based complementary therapies.

Traditional Chinese Exercise for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis With Future Directions

“…Exercise has been considered as a key component in the management of PD and might significantly improve the self-care ability and quality of life in patients with PD ( Kedzior and Kaplan, 2019 ; Klein et al, 2019 ; Chen et al, 2020 ). Research has demonstrated that TCE, as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, are able to improve motor and non-motor functions in patients with early to middle stage PD ( Carvalho et al, 2021 ; Fogaca et al, 2021 ; Shen et al, 2021 ; Wan et al, 2021 ). For patients with later-stage PD, however, physical exercise intervention might be hard to complete due to the severe rigidity and poor condition of patients.…”

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“…Qigong, tai chi, and yoga are a few common forms of mind-body exercises that are rooted in Asian culture that have been accepted and practiced in Western countries in recent decades [15][16][17]. A well-established body of research using randomized controlled trials has demonstrated the clinically significant benefits of qigong, tai chi, and yoga on a variety of health outcomes, including but not limited to physical and cognitive function, quality of life, mental disorders, and chronic pain in diverse clinical and nonclinical populations in Western and non-Western countries [18][19][20][21][22]. Unlike traditional Western exercise, qigong exercise is characterized as low-to moderate-intensity, community-oriented with no or low cost, low-demand regarding space and equipment, and safe for all age groups and health conditions in Asian countries [22,23].…”

“…A well-established body of research using randomized controlled trials has demonstrated the clinically significant benefits of qigong, tai chi, and yoga on a variety of health outcomes, including but not limited to physical and cognitive function, quality of life, mental disorders, and chronic pain in diverse clinical and nonclinical populations in Western and non-Western countries [18][19][20][21][22]. Unlike traditional Western exercise, qigong exercise is characterized as low-to moderate-intensity, community-oriented with no or low cost, low-demand regarding space and equipment, and safe for all age groups and health conditions in Asian countries [22,23]. Recently, physicians in the United States and other Western countries have increased the use of the mind-body exercise for managing chronic health conditions and mental disorders following a holistic or integrative health framework.…”

“…Although evidence shows that qigong exercises can improve physical and cognitive function and quality of life and reduce fall risk, depression, and anxiety in older adults [21,22,[29][30][31][32], methodological issues limit the scientific rigor and generalizability of the findings in older underserved racial and ethnic minority adults in the United States [22]. For example, most studies were conducted in China or with participants of higher socioeconomic status in Western countries.…”

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