Corrective Effects of Three-Stage Structured Tai Chi on Abnormal Neck and Shoulder Posture：A Biomechanics-Based Randomized Controlled Trial
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.16.011
- VernacularTitle:三段式结构化太极拳对颈肩部姿态异常的矫正效应——一项基于生物力学的随机对照试验
- Author:
Yulei RAN
1
;
Jing ZHANG
1
;
Chao YANG
1
;
Liyuan ZHANG
1
;
Tingting HAN
1
;
Weibiao LI
2
;
Xiang GUO
2
;
Xianhui GUO
1
Author Information
1. Henan University of Chinese Medicine，Zhengzhou，450046
2. The Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
abnormal neck and shoulder posture;
Tai Chi;
biomechanics;
randomized controlled trials
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(16):1752-1758
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo evaluate the corrective effects of a three-stage structured Tai Chi training program on abnormal neck and shoulder posture from a biomechanical perspective. MethodsEighty-two participants with abnormal neck and shoulder posture were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group， with 41 participants in each group. The treatment group received three-stage structured Tai Chi training six times per week， while the control group received online health education once per week. Both interventions lasted for 12 weeks. The primary outcome cervical postural deviation angle， and the secondary outcomes including cervical loading and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle， were assessed before intervention， after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. Safety was also evaluated. ResultsUltimately， 40 participants from each group were included in the analysis. In the treatment group， cervical postural deviation angle and cervical spine loading were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. The bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle decreased significantly after both 6 and 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline （P＜0.05）. In the control group， cervical spine loading was reduced after 6 and 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline （P＜ 0.05）. After 12 weeks of intervention， the treatment group showed lower cervical postural deviation angle and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle than the control group， whereas cervical loading was higher in the treatment group after 6 weeks of intervention （P＜0.05）. Significant differences were observed between groups in the changes from baseline to week 12 for cervical postural deviation angle and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle， as well as in the changes from baseline to week 6 for cervical loading and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle （P＜ 0.05）. No significant adverse events occurred in either group during the intervention period. ConclusionThree-stage structured Tai Chi can effectively improve abnormal neck and shoulder posture， demonstrating good safety and feasibility.
