Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31236699›Full record

SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2019

The effects of Tai Chi on quality of life of cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xiaosha Ni, Raymond Javan Chan, Patsy Yates, Wenyi Hu, Xianhong Huang, Yan Lou

Open access · bronzeAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
27citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
8.2field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

27 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 56 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  4. Meditative movement for breathlessness in advanced COPD or cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2023
    Pooled it
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  6. Mind-body practices for cancer-related symptoms management: an overview of systematic reviews including one hundred twenty-nine meta-analyses.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022
    Pooled it
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  11. Trial
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  15. Article
  16. The Science of Tai Chi andJournal of integrative and complementary medicine · 2025
    Review
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  18. Review
  19. Chronic physical conditions, physical multimorbidity, and quality of life among adults aged ≥ 50 years from six low- and middle-income countries.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2023
    Article
  20. Article
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

6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Xiaosha NiHangzhou Normal University, No. 2318,Yuhangtang Rd, Cangqian, Yuhang District, 311121, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
Raymond Javan ChanQueensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
Patsy YatesQueensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
Wenyi HuHangzhou Normal University, No. 2318,Yuhangtang Rd, Cangqian, Yuhang District, 311121, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
Xianhong HuangHangzhou Normal University, No. 2318,Yuhangtang Rd, Cangqian, Yuhang District, 311121, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
Yan LouHangzhou Normal University, No. 2318,Yuhangtang Rd, Cangqian, Yuhang District, 311121, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China. lygreen0924@hotmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6844-1625
Hangzhou Normal University · CNQueensland University of Technology · AU

Funding

Chinese Government Scholarship 201708330161Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province LQ17H160014
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposesTo assess the effects of Tai Chi on quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors.

methodsThe following databases were searched: PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EBSCO (including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and other databases), ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wangfang Data, and CQVIP until April 25, 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English or Chinese examining the effects of Tai Chi intervention for cancer survivors were included. The primary outcome was QOL; the secondary outcomes were limb function/muscular strength, immune function indicators, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), and sleep disturbance. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results of RCTs were pooled with mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Quality of evidence for each outcome was assessed with the GRADE system.

resultsTwenty-two RCTs were included in this review. Tai Chi improved the physical (SMD 0.34, 95%CI 0.09, 0.59) and mental health (SMD 0.60, 95%CI 0.12, 1.08) domains of quality of life. The intervention improved the limb/muscular function of breast cancer survivors (SMD 1.19, 95%CI 0.63, 1.75) and in mixed samples of cancer survivors reduced the levels of cortisol (MD - 0.09, 95%CI - 0.16, - 0.02), alleviated CRF (SMD - 0.37, 95%CI - 0.70, - 0.04), and promoted sleep (SMD - 0.37, 95%CI - 0.72, - 0.02).

conclusionThere is low-level evidence suggesting that Tai Chi improves physical and mental dimensions of QOL and sleep. There is moderate-level evidence suggesting Tai Chi reduces levels of cortisol and CRF and improves limb function. Additional studies with larger sample sizes and with higher-quality RCT designs comparing different regimens of Tai Chi are warranted.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsFatigueFemaleHumansHydrocortisoneMental HealthQuality of LifeSleep Wake DisordersTai JiHydrocortisoneCancer-related fatigueCancer survivorsLimb functionQuality of lifeSleepTai Chi

Identifiers

PMID31236699
OpenAlexW2953934619

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.