Evidence for the efficacy of Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis

an overview of systematic reviews

Authors

Keywords:

Tai Ji, Arthritis, rheumatoid, Exercise therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with higher prevalence among women aged between 30 and 50 years and general prevalence of 1% worldwide. Interventions promoting improvement of quality of life for individuals with RA are required. Tai Chi appears to be a low-cost alternative, with studies showing positive results from this technique. However, regarding aspects of RA such as pain and sensitivity, studies remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of the Tai Chi method for treating patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, among systematic reviews. DESIGN AND SETTING: Overview of systematic reviews with Cochrane and non-Cochrane methodology. METHODS: Systematic reviews involving quasi-randomized and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on use of Tai Chi, with no restrictions regarding the date and language of publication, were included. RESULTS: Three systematic reviews were included. The effects of Tai Chi associated with education and stretching exercises versus education and stretching were evaluated in these reviews. They showed that improvements in the variables of mood, depression and functional index were associated with use of Tai Chi. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that clinical improvement was achieved, although not statistically significant with regard to pain and disease pattern, as assessed using the ACR20 measurement. Improvements relating to disability and quality of life were also seen. There was a low level of evidence and therefore caution in data analysis is recommended. The three studies included showed poor reliability for providing an accurate and complete summary of use of Tai Chi among people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. PROSPERO: CRD42019125501.

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Author Biographies

Aline Mizusaki Imoto, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Physiotherapist and Professor, Professional and Academic Master’s Program, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Fábio Ferreira Amorim, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Physician and Medical Education Manager, Undergraduate Medical Course, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil; Professor, Academic Master’s Program, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil; and Professor, Family Health Master’s Program (ProfSaúde), Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Henderson Palma, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

MSc. Collaborative Researcher, Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program on Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Império Lombardi Júnior, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program on Health Sciences, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos (SP), Brazil.

Ana Lúcia Salomon, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Nutritionist and Professor, Professional and Academic Master’s Program, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde, Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Maria Stella Peccin, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Physiotherapist. Associate Professor, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos (SP), Brazil.

Helbert Eustáquio Cardoso da Silva, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

MSc. Dentist, Professional and Academic Master’s Program, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde, Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Eduardo Signorini Bicas Franco, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

MSc. Physiotherapist and Doctoral Student, Department of Evidence-Based Healthcare, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Leila Göttem, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Professor, Professional and Academic Master’s Program, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Levy Aniceto Santana, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde

PhD. Coordinator, Professional Master’s Program, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil.

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Published

2021-04-11

How to Cite

1.
Imoto AM, Amorim FF, Palma H, Lombardi Júnior I, Salomon AL, Peccin MS, Silva HEC da, Franco ESB, Göttem L, Santana LA. Evidence for the efficacy of Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis: an overview of systematic reviews. Sao Paulo Med J [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 11 [cited 2025 Mar. 9];139(2):91-8. Available from: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/392

Issue

Vol. 139 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Original Article

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