Effects of traditional Chinese exercises on physical and psychological health of patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose

Physical exercise improves physical and psychological health. However, information on the quantitative impact of Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) on physical and psychological health remains limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively explore the effects of TCE on the physical and psychological health of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across seven electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang) from their inception to March 7, 2024 using the terms, Taiji, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing, multiple sclerosis, and disseminated sclerosis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs reporting the effects of TCE on physical function or psychological health outcomes in MS patients were included. A random-effects model and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were used to compute the effect sizes.

Results

Eleven studies, including 461 subjects with MS, were included in this meta-analysis. TCE significantly increased balance (d = 0.88, 95 % CI [0.45, 1.31], p < 0.001, I² = 39.26 %), activities of daily living (d = 1.17, 95 % CI [0.30, 2.04], p < 0.001, I² = 89.15 %), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS) scores (d = 0.53, 95 % CI [0.12, 0.93], p = 0.01, I² = 0 %), depression (d = 0.66, 95 % CI [0.003, 1.32], p = 0.049, I² = 62.97 %), and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scores (d = 1.30, 95 % CI [0.41, 2.18], p < 0.001, I² = 0 %) compared with control conditions.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests the efficacy of TCE in improving balance, activities of daily living, MSIS scores, depression, and ABC scores in MS patients. However, further high-quality research is warranted to investigate these findings.