Lower limb osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by impaired physical function, chronic pain, compromised psychological health and decreased social functioning. Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of OA. Tai Chi is a type of classical mind-body exercise derived from ancient Chinese martial arts. Evidence supports that Tai Chi has significant benefits for relieving lower limb OA symptoms. Using a biopsychosocial framework, this review aims to elucidate the beneficial effects of Tai Chi in lower limb OA and disentangle its potential mechanisms from the perspective of biology, psychology, and social factors. Complex biomechanical, biochemical, neurological, psychological, and social mechanisms, including strengthening of muscles, proprioception improvement, joint mechanical stress reduction, change of brain activation and sensitization, attenuation of inflammation, emotion modulation and social support, are discussed.
Humans ; Tai Ji ; Osteoarthritis/therapy* ; Exercise Therapy ; Lower Extremity ; Chronic Disease ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Liuzijue exercise (LE) for the clinical effect in patients after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Totally 120 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were admitted to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between July and Oclober, 2022 were allocated to the LE group, the conventional respiratory training (CRT) group, and the control group by a random number table at a ratio of 1:1:1; 40 patients in each group. All patients received routine treatment and cardiac rehabilitation. LE group and CRT group respectively performed LE and CRT once a day for 30 min for 7 days. Control group did not receive specialized respiratory training. The forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak inspiratory flow rate, peak expiratory flow rate, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were evaluated before, after 3 and 7 days of intervention. In addition, the postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and the adverse events that occurred during the intervention period were compared. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients completed the study, 120 patients were included in the analysis. After 3 days of intervention, the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, MBI and HAM-A of all 3 groups improved compared with that before the intervention (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the control group, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were significantly improved in the CRT and LE groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the LE group compared with the control and CRT groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On the 7th day after intervention, the difference was still statistically significant (P<0.01), and was significantly different from that on the 3rd day (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, on the 7th day of intervention, the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in the LE group were significantly improved compared with those in the CRT group (P<0.01). MBI and HAM-A were significantly improved in the CRT group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in postoperative LOS among the 3 groups (P>0.05). No training-related adverse events occurred during the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS LE is safe and feasible for improving pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, the ability to complete activities of daily living and for relieving anxiety of patients after cardiac surgery (Registration No. ChiCTR2200062964).
Humans ; Activities of Daily Living ; Breathing Exercises ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Respiratory Muscles ; Muscle Strength/physiology*

Background: A daily habit of yogic practice or walking, along with an oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) could be beneficial for better control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to find out the efficiency of yoga or walking on glycemic control in T2DM. Methodology: The present systematic review and meta-analysis were completed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The risk of bias in included studies was evaluated, by using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta-analysis was implemented using RevMan software. Forest plots were used to illustrate the study findings and meta-analysis results. Results: Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review, where 1820 participants were allocated to one of the following interventions: yoga, walking, and without any regular exercise (control group). Participants were between 17–75 years of age. Compared to the control group, the yoga group had a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) by 31.98 mg/dL (95% CI,–47.93 to –16.03), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) by 25.59 mg/dL (95% CI, –44.00 to –7.18], glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) by 0.73% (95% CI, –1.24 to -0.22), fasting insulin by 7.19 μIU/mL (95% CI, –12.10 to –2.28), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) by 3.87 (95% CI, –8.40 to -0.66). Compared to the control group, the walking group had a significant reduction in FBG by 12.37 mg/dL (95% CI, –20.06 to –4.68) and HbA1c by 0.35% (95% CI, –0.70 to –0.01). Compared to the walking group, the yoga group had a significant reduction in FBG by 12.07 mg/dL (95% CI, –24.34 to – 0.20), HbA1c by 0.20% (95% CI, –0.37 to –0.04), fasting insulin by 10.06 μIU/mL (95% CI, –23.84 to 3.71) and HOMA-IR by 5.97 (95% CI, –16.92 to 4.99). Conclusions Yoga or walking with OHA has positive effects on glycemic control. For the management of T2DM, yoga has relatively more significant effects on glycemic control than walking.
Yoga ; Walking ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glycemic Control ; Insulin Resistance

Nano-ayurvedic medicine is an emerging field in which nanoparticles are functionalized with active principles of potent ayurvedic herbs to enhance their efficacy and target-specific delivery. Scientific advances in the past couple of decades have revealed the molecular mechanisms behind the anticancer potential of several ayurvedic herbs, attributed chiefly to their secondary metabolites including polyphenols and other active substances. With the advancement of nanotechnology, it has been established that size-, shape-, and surface-chemistry-optimized nanoparticles can be utilized as synergizing carriers for these phytochemicals. Nano-ayurvedic medicine utilizes herbs that are commonly used in Ayurveda to functionalize different nanoparticles and thereby enhance their potency and target specificity. Studies have shown that the active phytochemicals of such herbs can be coated onto the nanoparticles of different metals, such as gold, and that they work more efficiently than the free herbal extract, for example, in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Recently, an Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)-based clinical trial in humans indicated the anticancer potential of such formulations. Nano-ayurvedic medicine is emerging as a potential treatment option for hyperproliferative diseases.
Humans ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Homeopathy ; Naturopathy ; Yoga ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*

With the increasing prominence of population aging, the cognitive decline of the elderly has gradually become a hotspot of clinical research. As a traditional rehabilitation exercise, Tai Chi has been proved to have a positive effect on improving cognitive function and delaying cognitive decline in the elderly. However, the related brain function mechanism is still unclear. In this paper, we collected studies which observed the changes of Tai Chi on brain regions related to cognitive function in the elderly using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We summarized relevant studies from perspective of structural and functional changes in the brain. The results showed that Tai Chi may delay and improve cognitive decline in the elderly by reshaping the structure and function of brain regions related to cognitive function such as memory, attention and execution. The effect of Tai Chi for cognitive function may be associated with positive regulation of cardiovascular function, emotion and meditation level of the elderly. In addition, the improvement of cognitive function further enhances the balance of the elderly. We also found that practice time, frequency and intensity of Tai Chi could be factors influencing the improvement of cognitive function and brain function in the elderly.
Aged ; Attention ; Brain/physiology* ; Cognition ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Tai Ji/psychology*

Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Exercise ; Humans ; Hypertension/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Tai Ji

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are common in older adults and have a negative influence on their physical and mental health. General aerobic exercises (GAEs) have long been used in the treatment of sleep disorders as a non-pharmacological measure. However, there is no consensus on the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) for treating sleep disorders in older adults and the difference between TCEs and GAEs. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of TCEs and GAEs on the sleep quality of older adults and the differences between these two interventions. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Journal Database and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to August 2020. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of TCEs and GAEs on older adults with sleep disorders were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by two researchers working independently. The risk bias of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0 and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to estimate sleep quality. Meta-analyses were performed to assess the total PSQI score of the exercise intervention as the primary outcome, and the scores of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication and daytime dysfunction were assessed as secondary outcomes. Subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of covariables to heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 22 RCTs (including 1747 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that TCEs (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-2.82, -1.46], P < 0.001; heterogeneity: P < 0.001, I CONCLUSION Current evidence shows that both TCEs and GAEs, as complementary and non-pharmacological approaches, help to improve the sleep quality in older adults with potentially clinical implications; however, there was not enough evidence to conclude the difference between them. More rigorous and high-quality RCTs are needed to arrive at reliable conclusions.
Aged ; China ; Exercise ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy* ; Tai Ji

The purpose of this study is to analyze the biomechanics of ankle cartilage and ligaments during a typical Tai Chi movement-Brush Knee and Twist Step (BKTS). The kinematic and kinetic data were acquired in one experienced male Tai Chi practitioner while performing BKTS and in normal walking. The measured parameters were used as loading and boundary conditions for further finite element analysis. This study showed that the contact stress of the ankle joint during BKTS was generally less than that during walking. However, the maximum tensile force of the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament and the posterior talofibular ligament during BKTS was 130 N, 169 N and 89 N, respectively, while it was only 57 N, 119 N and 48 N during walking. Therefore, patients with arthritis of the ankle can properly practice Tai Chi. Practitioners with sprained lateral ligaments of the ankle joint were suggested to properly reduce the ankle movement range during BKTS.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; Male ; Tai Ji

With the increasing number of cardiovascular patients, more and more people are living with diseases. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective treatment and prevention measure for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which aims to relieve both psychological and physiological stress of CVD, reduce risk of death from CVD, improve cardiovascular function and patients' quality of life. Tai Chi is popular in China and mainly used as a daily leisure activity for the elderly to strengthen their bodies. This review discusses whether Tai Chi could be taken as a positive intervention in CR and what is the exact role and its mechanisms as exercise therapy for CVD. The authors detail the role of Tai Chi on CR from the aspects of exercise capacity, risk factors of CVD and psychological factors, etc., as well as highlight the limitation of Tai Chi research at present.
Cardiac Rehabilitation ; methods ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Tai Ji

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method in the treatment of periarthritis with frozen period. METHODS: Ninety patients with periarthritis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group 1, a control group 2 and an observation group, 30 cases in each group. Warm acupuncture was applied in the control group 1 (Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc were selected), yoga posture method was applied in the control group 2, warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method were given in the observation group, the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course with 2 days between courses and continuous for 2 courses. After 2 courses of treatment, the shoulder joint pain score and shoulder function grading were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy, and the clinical efficacy was observed. RESULTS: ①The pain scores of the three groups were significantly lower after treatment (all <0.01), and scores in the observation group was better than that in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (<0.05, <0.01). There was no significant difference between the control group 1 and the control group 2 (>0.05). ②After treatment, the functional classification of shoulder joints were significantly improved in the three groups (all <0.01), and the functional classification of shoulder joint in the observation group and the control group 2 were better than that in the control group 1 (<0.01, <0.05). There was no significant difference between the observation group and the control group 2 (>0.05). ③After 2 courses of treatment, the effective rate of the observation group was 86.7% (26/30), which was better than 70.0% (21/30) in the control group 1 and 76.7% (23/30) in the control group 2 (both <0.05). CONCLUSION Warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method can effectively relieve shoulder pain and improve dysfunction. The clinical comprehensive effect is better than simple acupuncture and yoga posture method.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Periarthritis ; therapy ; Posture ; Treatment Outcome ; Yoga