Roles and engagement levels of caregivers during dyadic Tai Chi interventions: A scoping review

Dyadic Tai Chi interventions are increasingly employed for care recipient-caregiver dyads, improving safety, benefits, and interpersonal connections. However, research shows considerable heterogeneity in defining and implementing caregiver roles and engagement, highlighting the need for clearer standards to support evidence-based practice.

To review and clarify the roles and engagement levels of caregivers during dyadic Tai Chi interventions.

A scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework and reported per PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic search was performed across nine databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, CNKI, and WanFang).

Of the 20 articles included, more than one third (35%, n = 7) failed to define caregivers or specify inclusion criteria. Where specified, criteria commonly included age restrictions, active caregiving roles, cognitive competence, cohabitation/frequent contact, and primary family caregiver status. Family caregivers were the most common type (70%, n = 14), followed by unpaid (20%, n = 4) and paid caregivers (10%, n = 2). Their roles varied substantially, including active co-designing practice regimens, monitoring adherence and ensuring safety, and assisting with data collection. Key attributes of dyadic Tai Chi interventions included the mode of task execution (dyadic co-execution), varying caregiver engagement (passive presence, parallel engagement, and interactive engagement), and target populations: care recipients (55%, n = 11), dyads (40%, n = 8), and caregivers only (5%, n = 1).

The findings clarify caregivers' roles and engagement levels during dyadic Tai Chi interventions. The observed heterogeneity highlights the complexity and dynamic attributes, indicating a greater standardization in future research.