To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese exercises (TCE) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to recommend best practices for using TCE to improve neurological function, glycemic control, and psychological well-being.

Nine databases were searched from the inception to October 2024. Effect relationships were assessed using meta-analysis with Stata 17, and the methodological quality and certainty of the evidence were evaluated using standard tools.

Twelve studies comprising three study designs (nine randomized controlled, one quasi-experimental controlled, and two single-arm clinical trials), were identified. Compared with usual care, TCE improved various indicators and enhanced the nerve conduction velocities of the peroneal motor (mean difference [MD] = 3.86 m/s, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38 to 7.34, P =.03), sural sensory (MD = 4.15 m/s, 95% CI: 0.68 to 7.63, P =.02), median motor (MD = 3.84 m/s, 95% CI: 2.14 to 5.54, P < .001), and median sensory nerves (MD = 6.14 m/s, 95% CI: 4.54 to 7.74, P < .001). TCE practices also reduced glycosylated hemoglobin level (MD = −0.59%, 95% CI: −0.91 to −0.27, P < .001) and fasting blood glucose (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.08, 95% CI: −1.79 to −0.37, P < .001). The overall quality of evidence was very low.

The results indicate that TCE therapy improves certain outcomes in patients with DPN. Although the optimal type, intensity, frequency, and duration of TCE interventions are uncertain, these preliminary findings suggest that TCE should be further studied as a potentially affordable and effective treatment for DPN.

To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Relevant data were retrieved from nine English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Wanfang Data, etc. from inception to June 2024. All published randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and other health indicators in participants with LDH compared to usual medical care or other treatments were included. Grey literature, trials involving the pushing of hands (Tui Shou) or Tai Chi with weapons, and trials with co-interventions (Tai Chi/Qigong plus another treatment) were excluded. Methodological quality was analyzed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) tool.

Fourteen trials (954 patients) were included in this study. Tai Chi and Qigong were associated with lower VAS pain scores (standardized mean difference −0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.95 to −0.15, P =.01), higher JOA scores (mean difference [MD] 4.40, 95% CI 2.62 to 6.18, P < .001) and straight leg raise test results (MD 9.40°, 95% CI 7.64 to 11.15, P < .001) in patients with LDH. Furthermore, compared with usual care, Tai Chi and Qigong showed enhanced effects on pain and JOA scores. When compared to other exercises or massage, the effect on pain scores was similar but that on JOA scores was significant.

Tai Chi and Qigong may have favorable effects on VAS pain and JOA scores compared with usual care, and on JOA scores compared with other exercises or massage in patients with LDH. Given the overall poor quality of the evidence, the results of current study should be interpreted cautiously.

To explore the effects and dose–response relationship of Tai Chi for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials and evidence quality of the outcomes.

Nine major English and Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of Tai Chi for T2DM from inception to December 2021. The effects and dose–response relationships were assessed with a meta-analysis and meta-regression using Stata.16. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool. The evidence quality of the outcomes was assessed using the GRADE tool.

A total of 24 studies with 1314 patients were included. Compared with the usual care, Tai Chi improved HbA1c (MD = −0.80%, 95% CI [−1.05, −0.54], P < .001, I² = 18.29%, very low–quality evidence), FBG (SMD = −0.58, 95% CI [−0.86, −0.31], P < .001, I² = 53.2%, low-quality evidence), fasting insulin (FIN), diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and the outcomes of quality of life (QoL) in patients with T2DM. However, when Tai Chi was compared with other exercise, there was no between-group difference in the HbA1c, FBG, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, BMI, and waist circumference (WC). Furthermore, the findings showed that an increase at every 18 weeks in length or an 823-h increase in the total time of Tai Chi intervention resulted in approximately a one unit reduction in the SMD of FBG.

Compared with usual care, Tai Chi may improve HbA1c (with clinical significance), FBG, FIN, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, and outcomes of QoL in T2DM patients. The effects of Tai Chi were similar to those of other exercises on the HbA1c, FBG, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, BMI, and WC. Given the overall poor methodological quality and evidence quality, these findings should be treated cautiously.

Depression is a global and growing health issue. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use is common among people with depression. We examined the baseline use of CAM (products, not services) in centrally obese adults with depression, a specific and increasingly important population who were part of a trial of Tai Chi and Qigong for depression.

Self-reported use of CAM products (four major groups: vitamins, herbal medicines, mineral supplements and purified chemicals as nutritional supplements) together with demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics were collected using validated questions within a written survey. We used descriptive statistics to understand patterns of use.

Two hundred and sixty patients participated in the assessment. Half of the patients stated they were using CAM, on average reporting 2.3 CAM per patient. Women were more likely than men, and older people (>60 years) more likely than younger people (<40 years) to use any CAM products. Patients reported using CAM mostly for general health and alleviating aches and pains. CAM use was not associated with health state, use of a prescription antidepressant medicine, nor (self-reported) comorbidities such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension or alcohol or tobacco use.

CAM products are commonly used in Australians with moderate depression, particularly in female or older patients. The range and number of CAM in this group with common comorbidity may present additional unknown risks due to potential interactions with other prescribed medications with a myriad of biological and pharmacological effects. The importance of establishing whether depressed patients are taking CAM, the particular CAM and whether the CAM interacts with each other, other drugs used for depression or the biological process of the depression itself are factors to be considered at each assessment.