Exploring the benefits of traditional Chinese exercises (Tai Chi and Qigong) on the anxiety and depression of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

backgroundResearch shows that traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) significantly improve anxiety and depression in older adults. However, studies on the effects of different exercise durations, frequencies, and intensities in this population are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the impact of TCEs on anxiety and depression, and explores the optimal exercise parameters, aiming to provide evidence for nonpharmacological treatment options in clinical practice.

methodsAs of August 2023, we conducted a literature search through 3 English electronic databases to identify relevant studies. We included studies that met our criteria. During the literature inclusion process, we used Review Manager 5.4 to create flow diagrams, assess the risk of bias, and perform statistical analyses.

resultsA total of 31 eligible studies involving 2501 participants were included. Compared with the control group, TCEs showed significant improvements in anxiety (standardized mean differences [SMD] = -0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.78 to -0.08, P = .03, I2 = 96%) and depression (SMD = -1.14, 95% CI: -1.82 to -0.47, P = .03, I2 = 96%). Subgroup analyses indicated that an intervention duration of 12 to 16 weeks yielded the largest effect size for anxiety (SMD = -1.36, 95% CI: -2.36 to -0.36, P = .008), while the 24-week group showed the largest effect size for depression (SMD = -0.87, 95% CI: -1.43 to -0.30, P = .002). For intervention frequency, a regimen of 3 to 4 times per week produced the largest effect size for anxiety (SMD = -2.34, 95% CI: -4.69 to 0.02, P = .05), whereas a frequency of 5 to 7 times per week demonstrated the largest effect size for depression (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI: -1.83 to -0.17, P = .02). Regarding single-session exercise duration, a group exercising for 40 to 60 minutes showed the largest effect sizes for anxiety (SMD = -1.38, 95% CI: -2.40 to -0.37, P = .007) and depression (SMD = -0.75, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.42, P < .00001).

conclusionThe results indicate that TCEs significantly alleviate anxiety and depression in older adults, with intervention frequency, intensity, and duration potentially influencing the outcomes. However, heterogeneity across studies was observed, primarily due to differences in intervention types and control group designs. These findings offer valuable guidance for future research directions.