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Tai Chi Research Review

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  • Tiffany Field

    (Fielding Graduate University, USA)

Abstract

This paper is a review of empirical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analysis publications on tai chi from the last few years. The review includes demographics/prevalence of tai chi as a practice, bibliometric analyses of the tai chi publications and the use of tai chi for physical fitness and cognitive function. Also, studies are reviewed on tai chi effects on psychiatric, medical and immune conditions as well as aging problems. Most of the recent tai chi research has focused on balance problems in the elderly. The methods and results of those studies are briefly summarized along with their limitations and suggestions for future research. Basically, tai chi has been more effective than control and waitlist control conditions, although not always more effective than treatment comparison groups such as other forms of exercise. More randomized controlled studies are needed in which tai chi styles are compared to each other and tai chi is compared to active exercise groups. Having established the physical and mental health benefits of tai chi makes it ethically questionable to assign participants to inactive control groups. Shorter sessions should be investigated for cost-effectiveness and for daily practice. Multiple physical and physiological measures need to be added to the self-report research protocols and potential underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. In the interim, the studies reviewed here highlight the therapeutic effects of tai chi.

Suggested Citation

  • Tiffany Field, 2016. "Tai Chi Research Review," Journal of Complementary Medicine & Alternative Healthcare, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 1(1), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:adp:ojcmah:v:1:y:2016:i:1:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.19080/JCMAH.2016.01.555551
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paola Zamparo & Elena Zorzi & Sara Marcantoni & Paola Cesari, 2015. "Is Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder? Aesthetic Quality versus Technical Skill in Movement Evaluation of Tai Chi," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Yan Yang & Xiang-Yuan Li & Li Gong & Yun-Liang Zhu & Yan-Lei Hao, 2014. "Tai Chi for Improvement of Motor Function, Balance and Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-9, July.
    3. Guohua Zheng & Shuzhen Li & Maomao Huang & Feiwen Liu & Jing Tao & Lidian Chen, 2015. "The Effect of Tai Chi Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-20, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    juniper publishers:Journal of Complementary Medicine; Alternative Healthcare; Complementary Medicine & Alternative Healthcare; juniper publishers open access journals ; open access ; juniper publishers reivew;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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