Objective
To update and critically examine evidence on the effects of Tai Chi on pain and other health indicators in adults with osteoarthritis (OA). The secondary objective was to assess possible dose-response relationships between Tai Chi and changes in health indicators.
Design
A literature search of 9 major English and Chinese databases (completed in December 2024) retrieved randomized trials on the effects of Tai Chi in adults with OA. Methodological and evidence quality were assessed using standard tools. Meta-analyses were performed using Stata (version 16.0).
Results
Twenty-eight studies with 1676 OA participants were included. Compared with non-exercise comparators, meta-analyses showed Tai Chi significantly improved pain (Cohen's d -0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.96 to -0.34; n=11 studies), mobility (-0.58; 95% CI -0.84 to -0.31; n=7), self-reported physical function (-0.74; 95% CI -1.11 to -0.38; n=11) and stiffness (-0.73; 95% CI -1.19 to -0.27; n=10) (all p<0.01). Compared with controls, each unit increase in weekly frequency and in overall program duration was associated with a small improvement in pain. Compared with exercise comparators, meta-analyses showed there was no significant difference between Tai Chi and the other forms of exercise on pain, self-reported function or stiffness. More than 70% of the studies had good methodological quality, and the evidence quality for most of the outcomes was moderate.
Conclusions
Tai Chi benefits pain, mobility, self-reported function and stiffness, and has similar effects to other forms of exercise on these indicators (except mobility) in participants with OA.