Tai Chi and Qigong to Enhance Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Abstract
BackgroundPopulation aging and associated cognitive decline presents major public health challenges. Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) have gained attention as potential non-pharmacological approaches to improve brain health.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of TCQ on neuropsychological performance among community-dwelling older adults, considering cognitive level and dose-response.MethodsFollowing Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched from inception to February 2024. Thirty-one randomized trials involving 3,766 participants were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsTCQ significantly improved overall neuropsychological performance (SMD = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.42-0.89) and specific domains, with standardized mean differences ranging from 0.64 for global cognition to 2.25 for attention, among older adults with or without cognitive impairments. No dose-response relationship was observed, suggesting that the benefits of TCQ were consistent across varying intervention durations, frequencies, and control group types.ConclusionFindings support TCQ as a feasible non-pharmacological intervention for cognitive enhancement in community-dwelling older adults.
The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.
Research summary
Tai Chi and Qigong significantly improve neuropsychological performance in community-dwelling older adults. The paper is relevant as it explores non-pharmacological interventions that may enhance cognitive function, addressing a critical aspect of aging and its associated cognitive decline.
Author of this paper? Send a correction.