title: [The effect of tai chi for blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipid control for patients with chronic diseases: a systematic review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tai chi emphasizes gentle, balanced, slow, deep-breathing activity and is widely applied in healthcare and health promotion in elderly populations. Researchers have applied tai chi as an intervention to reduce hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia with unclear results. This article conducts a systematic review of tai chi intervention research with regard to its effectiveness in addressing three risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study conducted a systematic review of reports discussing the blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid effects of tai chi in chronic diseases clients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Researchers searched six electronic databases for relevant articles published between 1990 and May 2011. Data were collected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. A modified Jadad Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the identified articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven studies met our inclusion criteria of targeting middle-aged subjects with chronic diseases. There was a total of 947 participants, with studies ranging from 38-207 participants. The majority of participants were women (six studies with a female ratio of > 50%); participant ages ranged from 51 ± 9.8 to 81.2 ± 6.1; four studies reported that tai chi reduced blood pressure and blood lipid levels; three studies reported that tai chi did not improve blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, or HbA1C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic review results indicate that tai chi interventions have a significant and positive effect on blood pressure and lipid levels but not for blood sugar levels. Larger scale studies with more subjects and longer time periods are necessary to further confirm and illuminate the effects of tai chi and guide the design of effective, empirical-based intervention programs.
authors: Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technlogy, ROC.
authors: Chia-Ling
authors: CL
authors: Lin
authors: Chun-Ping
authors: CP
authors: Lin
authors: Shin-Yu Angela
authors: SY
authors: Lien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026302:Tai Ji
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids
keywords: blood lipids; blood pressure; blood sugar; systematic review; tai chi