Citation

Palermi S, Sacco AM, Belviso I, Marino N, Gambardella F, Loiacono C, Sirico F. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2019-0242

PMID

32131053

Abstract

Balance impairments are a relevant problem in patients with diabetes, and interventions to manage this issue represent a public health need. This study reviewed the literature about the effectiveness of Tai Chi on balance improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes. Springerlink, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were screened. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials assessing balance in patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in a Tai Chi program were considered eligible. Four studies were included in qualitative synthesis and in quantitative analysis (three randomized controlled trials and one pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study). Evidence supporting Tai Chi to improve balance in patients with type 2 diabetes was found (effect size: 0.52; 95% confidence interval [0.20, 0.84]); however, the analysis relied on a small number of studies, which raises concerns about the risk of bias. In conclusion, the results support the benefits of Tai Chi intervention to improve balance in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Language: en

Keywords

coordination; exercise; fall; hyperglycemia; prevention