Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25145392›Full record

Trial reportBMC neurology2014

Mindfulness-based interventions in multiple sclerosis: beneficial effects of Tai Chi on balance, coordination, fatigue and depression.

Janina M Burschka, Philipp M Keune, Ulrich Hofstadt-van Oy, Patrick Oschmann, Peter Kuhn

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC neurology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05474209 (The Combined Impact of a Structured Tai Chi Exercise Program on Selected Clinical Aspects and Quality of Life of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis), which is not on this map. Cited by 45 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
45citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT05474209 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

The Combined Impact of a Structured Tai Chi Exercise Program on Selected Clinical Aspects and Quality of Life of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

TypeinterventionalSponsorComenius UniversityRan2019 to 2022Enrolled25ConditionsMultiple SclerosisArms"Tai-chi" - a special program for patients with multiple sclerosis - once a week training with a Tai Chi instructor lasting 90 minutes
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

45 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  3. Ameliorative effects of Tai Chi on cancer-related fatigue: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2018
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  6. Health benefits of tai chi: What is the evidence?Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien · 2016
    Pooled it
  7. Exercise therapy for fatigue in multiple sclerosis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Janina M BurschkaInstitute of Sports Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany. janina.burschka@googlemail.com.
Philipp M Keune
Ulrich Hofstadt-van Oy
Patrick Oschmann
Peter Kuhn

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experience a wide array of symptoms, including balance problems, mobility impairment, fatigue and depression. Physical exercise has recently been acknowledged as a treatment option complementary to medication. However, information regarding putative effects of structured exercise programs on neurological symptoms is sparse. Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art incorporating physical exercise and mindfulness training, has been shown to yield health benefits in various neurological groups. It seems particularly suitable for patients with motoric deficits as it challenges coordination and balance. The purpose of the current study was to explore the therapeutic value of structured Tai Chi training for coordination, balance, fatigue and depression in mildly disabled MS patients.

methodsA sample of 32 MS patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS < 5) was examined. A structured Tai Chi course was devised and a Tai Chi group participated in two weekly sessions of 90 minutes duration for six months, while a comparison group received treatment as usual (TAU). Both groups were examined prior to and following the six-months interval with regards to balance and coordination performance as well as measures of fatigue, depression and life satisfaction.

resultsFollowing the intervention, the Tai Chi group showed significant, consistent improvements in balance, coordination, and depression, relative to the TAU group (range of effect-sizes: partial η2 = 0.16 - 0.20). Additionally, life satisfaction improved (partial η2 = 0.31). Fatigue deteriorated in the comparison group, whereas it remained relatively stable in the Tai Chi group (partial η2 = 0.24).

conclusionsThe consistent pattern of results confirms that Tai Chi holds therapeutic potential for MS patients. Further research is needed to determine underlying working mechanisms, and to verify the results in a larger sample and different MS subgroups.

Indexed as

AdultDepressionFatigueFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMindfulnessMultiple SclerosisPostural BalancePsychomotor PerformanceTai Ji

Identifiers

PMID25145392
PMCPMC4236646

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.