Traditional Chinese Exercise for Cardiovascular Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background Traditional Chinese exercise ( TCE ) has widespread use for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease; however, there appears to be no consensus about the benefits of TCE for patients with cardiovascular disease. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of TCE for patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results Relevant studies were searched by PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We covered only published articles with randomized controlled trials. The outcome measures included physiological outcomes, biochemical outcomes, physical function, quality of life, and depression. A total of 35 articles with 2249 cardiovascular disease patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The pooling revealed that TCE could decrease systolic blood pressure by 9.12 mm Hg (95% CI −16.38 to −1.86, P =0.01) and diastolic blood pressure by 5.12 mm Hg (95% CI −7.71 to −2.52, P <0.001). Patients performing TCE also found benefits compared with those in the control group in terms of triglyceride (standardized mean difference −0.33, 95% CI −0.56 to −0.09, P =0.006), 6‐minute walk test (mean difference 59.58 m, 95% CI −153.13 to 269.93, P =0.03), Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire results (mean difference −17.08, 95% CI −23.74 to −10.41, P <0.001), 36‐Item Short Form physical function scale (mean difference 0.82, 95% CI 0.32–1.33, P =0.001), and Profile of Mood States depression scale (mean difference −3.02, 95% CI −3.50 to −2.53, P <0.001). Conclusions This study demonstrated that TCE can effectively improve physiological outcomes, biochemical outcomes, physical function, quality of life, and depression among patients with cardiovascular disease. More high‐quality randomized controlled trials on this topic are warranted.

Multidimensional Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Exercises for Cardiovascular Disease: A Protocol for Systemic Review.

“…By far, only one systematic review has been published on TCEs for CVD (35). In that review, the authors focused on physiological and biochemical outcomes.…”

Tai Chi Is a Promising Exercise Option for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Declining Cardiac Rehabilitation

“…Third, tai chi gentle training may be particularly attractive for women, who are less likely than men to attend CR and typically dislike the type of exercise offered at CRs . Fourth, tai chi energy expenditure can reach 4.6 metabolic equivalents (moderate‐intensity aerobic activity) and has been shown to improve self‐reported PA and other coronary risk factors . Studies have also suggested that tai chi may improve cardiac fitness .…”

“…Studies have also suggested that tai chi may improve cardiac fitness . Last, the emphasis placed on breathing and relaxation exercises during tai chi may improve psychological distress . Recent research has shown that the integration of stress reduction within a comprehensive CR program results in additional clinical benefits compared with CR alone …”

“…19 Fourth, tai chi energy expenditure can reach 4.6 metabolic equivalents (moderate-intensity aerobic activity) 26,27 and has been shown to improve self-reported PA [28][29][30] and other coronary risk factors. 31 Studies have also suggested that tai chi may improve cardiac fitness. 28 Last, the emphasis placed on breathing and relaxation exercises during tai chi may improve psychological distress.…”

“…28 Last, the emphasis placed on breathing and relaxation exercises during tai chi may improve psychological distress. 31 Recent research has shown that the integration of stress reduction within a comprehensive CR program results in additional clinical benefits compared with CR alone. 32 To our knowledge, no study has to date evaluated whether tai chi could be offered as an alternative exercise option for patients who declined enrollment in CR.…”