A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Asian Exercise Techniques and Various Physical Activity Interventions in...

The aim of this review and meta-analysis is to compare different low-intensity forms of physical activity (PA; Baduanjin, Tai Chi, walking, and general PA) as treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

Between 2003 and 2023, pertinent articles published in scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar) were searched in preparation for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-four studies that satisfied the requirements were selected, with a total sample size of 1,972 participants, of which 71.46% were female. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria were followed in the study selection process, and the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that various low-intensity PAs, particularly Asian exercise techniques such as Baduanjin, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly alleviated symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in middle and late adulthood. Pain reduction showed a moderately significant effect size (d = -0.65, SE = 0.14, p < .001), with all interventions, including Baduanjin, general PA, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly decreasing pain levels. Stiffness also improved, with a moderate effect size (d = -0.71, SE = 0.17, p < .001), and physical function significantly improved (d = -0.58, SE = 0.15, p < .001).

The results suggest that walking and Baduanjin exercises can be effectively integrated into community-based programs for middle-aged and older adults to manage knee osteoarthritis symptoms, offering a cost-effective nonpharmacological intervention.