Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
Does Tai Chi improve balance and reduce falls incidence in neurological disorders? A systematic review and
Stanley John Winser1, William Wn Tsang1, Karthikeyan Krishnamurthy1
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi on balance and reducing falls incidence in neurological disorders.
Data Sources:
AMED, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EBSCO and Medline from inception until February 2018.
Review Method:
Randomized controlled trials of Tai Chi compared with active or no treatment control, measuring balance with the Berg Balance Scale or the Timed Up and Go Test and number of falls in neurological disorders were included. Methodological quality was assessed using PEDro and quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.
Results:
A total of 10 studies involving 720 participants were reviewed. Seven studies were in Parkinson's disease and three in stroke. Seven studies were of high methodological quality and three were low. Meta-analyses of balance measured with the Timed Up and Go Test in Parkinson's disease revealed a statistically significant effect of Tai Chi compared to no treatment (weighted mean difference (WMD), -2.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), -3.26 to -1.00; P < 0.001) and was insignificant (WMD, -0.19; 95% CI, -1.74 to 1.35; P = 0.81) when compared with active treatment. Tai Chi significantly reduced falls incidence in Parkinson's disease (odds ratio (OR), 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.77; P = 0.003) and stroke (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.48; P < 0.001). Balance measured with the Timed Up and Go Test comparing Tai Chi and active treatment was insignificant (WMD, 0.45; 95% CI, -3.43 to 2.54; P = 0.77) in stroke.
Conclusion:
Tai Chi is effective in reducing falls incidence in Parkinson's disease and stroke. This systematic review did not find high-quality studies among other neurological disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Disorder of Water Balance
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
02:46Chi-square Analysis
The chi-square test was developed by Pearson in 1990.
The first step of performing a Chi-square analysis is to establish a null hypothesis, which assumes that there is no real...
01:29Disorders of Acid-Base Balance
Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide PCO2 in the blood. It often arises from shallow breathing or impaired gas exchange caused by...
01:10Chi-square Distribution
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
02:58Balancing Redox Equations