Traditional Chinese Mind and Body Exercises for Neck Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background. Neck pain is common and can have a significant impact on patients’ physical functionality, mobility, and quality of life (QOL). In clinical practice, traditional Chinese mind and body exercise (TCMBE) is a combination of different types of exercise based on traditional Chinese medicine, including qigong, tai chi, the 12-words-for-life-nurturing exercise, and so on, and many studies have found that it is safe and effective at helping patients with neck pain. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of TCMBE on pain intensity, functional mobility, and QOL in individuals with neck pain. Methods. The PubMed, MEDLINE, PEDro, and Embase databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials reporting the effects of TCMBE on pain intensity, functional mobility, and QOL in individuals with neck pain were included. Screening, data extraction, and literature quality assessments were performed independently by two reviewers. RevMan5.4 software was used for data analysis. Results. Six studies with 716 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the control groups, TCMBE had no therapeutic advantage in improving pain intensity (visual analogue scale: mean difference (MD) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): −7.70 to 11.46, and P = 0.70); functional mobility (neck disability index: MD = 0.15, 95% CI: −6.37 to 6.66, and P = 0.96; neck pain and disability scale: MD = 1.31, 95% CI: −4.10 to 6.71, and P = 0.64); or 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) scores for physical function (MD = 5.58, 95% CI: −8.03 to 19.18, and P = 0.42), general health (MD = 1.87, 95% CI: −4.99 to 8.72, and P = 0.59), body pain (MD = 2.26, 95% CI: −3.80 to 8.32, and P = 0.46), vitality (MD = 6.24, 95% CI: −1.49 to 13.98, and P = 0.11), social function (MD = 8.06, 95% CI: −4.85 to 20.98, and P = 0.22), role physical (MD = –1.46, 95% CI: −8.54 to 5.62, and P = 0.69), or role emotional (MD = 6.5, 95% CI: −3.45 to 16.45, and P = 0.2). However, TCMBE was less effective at improving mental health results based on the SF-36 survey (MD = 3.37, 95% CI: 0.5 to 6.24, and P = 0.02). Conclusions. Based on the meta-analysis, there is insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of TCMBE in improving pain intensity and enhancing functional mobility and QOL in individuals with neck pain.

Traditional Chinese Exercises on Pain and Disability in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The previous systematic review reported that there was insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of TCEs in improving pain intensity and enhancing functional mobility and quality of life in individuals with neck pain (Xie et al, 2021). However, there were only six studies of TCEs for neck pain published in English.…”

“…In China, traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) are widely used in the treatment of neck pain and associated conditions, which include Tai Chi, Qigong, Yijinjing, Baduanjin, Liuzijue, and Five-animal exercises (Xie et al, 2021). TCEs take both body and mind into account, emphasize the coordination and unification of breathing and body movements under the guidance of consciousness, and exercise the muscles and joints of the whole body (Lan et al, 2013;Solloway et al, 2016).…”

“…Some studies (von Trott et al, 2009;Lauche et al, 2016;Huang et al, 2020) reported the positive effects of TCEs in the management of neck pain. However, the previous review (Xie et al, 2021) showed that there was insufficient evidence to support the effects of TCEs in improving pain intensity and enhancing functional mobility in individuals with neck pain. The evidence of TCEs for neck pain maintains controversial.…”

Baduanjin improves neck pain and functional movement in middle-aged and elderly people: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…According to the Diagnostic and Efficacy Standard of TCM Disease (34), a total of 10 studies (39,41,42,(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50) reported the percentage of total efficacy. The results showed that the treatment group was better than the control group [RR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.10, 1.25), P < 0.001] in the Heterogeneity test (P = 0.50, I 2 = 0%, see Figure 8).…”

Feasibility of a brief mindfulness-based program for burnout in pain healthcare professionals

“…As a result of the above, several initiatives have been developed to reduce burnout in healthcare professionals, including structural interventions (e.g., shortened attending rotation length and various modifications to clinical work processes) and individual-focused interventions (e.g., stress management and self-care training or communication skills training), with encouraging results ( Luberto et al, 2017 ). Among the wide range of strategies available, brief mindfulness-based programs have gained ground in the past years due to their relatively reduced costs, moderate efficacy, healthcare acceptability, and their ability to enhance job performance ( Gracia Gozalo et al, 2018 ; Pérez-Aranda et al, 2019 ; Xie et al, 2021 ).…”