Effects of Tai Chi on Postural Control in People with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Peripheral neuropathy (PN) significantly impacts individuals' lives.
• The effects of Tai Chi on postural control in PN patients remain unclear.
• This review focuses on Tai Chi's impact on balance in PN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on postural control in people with peripheral neuropathy.
• To synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across seven databases.
• Included RCTs were assessed for methodological quality.
• A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software to pool data.

Main Results:

• Ten reports involving 344 subjects were analyzed.
• Tai Chi significantly reduced sway area in the double-leg stance with eyes closed test (SMD = -2.43, I2 = 0%).
• Improvements were noted in the six-minute walking test distance (SMD = -0.46, I2 = 49%) and timed-up-and-go test performance (SMD = 0.68, I2 = 50%) compared to baseline.

Conclusions:

• Tai Chi effectively enhances dynamic postural control in individuals with peripheral neuropathy.
• No superior effects of Tai Chi were observed compared to other rehabilitation approaches.
• Further high-quality trials are recommended to elucidate Tai Chi's full benefits for PN patients.