The Effects of Tai Chi Training in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal: Frontiers in physiology
Published Date: Dec 7, 2017

Abstract

Heart Failure (HF) is associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality. We performed a meta-analysis and updated new evidences from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effects of Tai Chi (TC) in patients with HF. Electronic literature search of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang Database was conducted from inception of their establishment until 2017. And we also searched Clinical Trials Registries (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ and www.controlled-trials.com) for on-going studies. A total of 11 trials with 656 patients were available for analysis. The results suggested that TC was associated with an obviously improved 6-min walk distance [6MWD, weighted mean difference (WMD) 65.29 m; 95% CI 32.55-98.04] and quality of life (Qol, WMD -11.52 points; 95% CI -16.5 to -6.98) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, WMD 9.94%; 95% CI 6.95 to 12.93). TC was shown to reduce serum B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP, standard mean difference (SMD) -1.08 pg/mL; 95% CI -1.91 to -0.26] and heart rate (HR, WMD -2.52 bpm; 95% CI -3.49 to -1.55). In summary, our meta-analysis demonstrated the clinical evidence about TC for HF is inconclusive. TC could improve 6MWD, Qol and LVEF in patients with HF and may reduce BNP and HR. However, there is a lack of evidence to support TC altering other important long-term clinical outcomes so far. Further larger and more sustainable RCTs are urgently needed to investigate the effects of TC.

Authors

  • Xiaomeng Ren
    Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • Yanda Li
    Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • Xinyu Yang
    Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
  • Jie Li
    Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Artificial Intelligence Application Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China.
  • Huilong Li
    Department of Surgery, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
  • Zhengzhong Yuan
    Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
  • Yikun Sun
    Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
  • Hongcai Shang
    Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
  • Yanwei Xing
    Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • Yonghong Gao
    Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

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