Shu-ya Yang
Asia University, Taiwan
Title: Effect of Qigong in elderly with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Biography
Biography: Shu-ya Yang
Abstract
Age-related cognitive decline has become an important public health issue. Qigong (QG) is an increasingly popular multimodal mind–body exercise that provides moderate aerobic, agility, and mobility training. Although several studies have reported the effects of Tai Chi, a kind of QG, on cognitive and physical outcome in elders, but the evidence remains limited regarding whether the QG exercise might improve cognitive, physical and psychological ability on cognitive decline in older adults.
Seven databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied/Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, the Cochrane Library, National Knowledge Infrastructure, airitiLibrary) were searched for studies that evaluated the effectiveness of Qigong on cognitive decline in older adults. The initial search yielded 854 articles; after evaluating against inclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 12 studies of QG exercise remained.
Nine randomized controlled trials included quantitative synthesis, with 959 participants, were identified. Meta-analysis of outcome related significant improvements for QG exercise compared to no exercise or stretching/toning controls on measures of global cognitive ability (MD=0.87, 95% CI=0.28, 1.46, p=0.004, I2=0%; measured by). And the result related significant improvements on measures of learning and memory ability(MD=0.26, 95% CI=0.08, 0.45, p=0.005, I2=0%), execution capacity(MD=-0.45, 95% CI=-0.09, -0.8, p=0.01, I2=48% ), low leg function (MD=–0.37, 95% CI=–0.75, –0.05, p=0.02, I2=0%). However, the result of depression was no significant change (MD=-0.006, 95% CI=-0.59, 0.47, p=0.83, I2=49%).
QG exercise was positive effects on global cognitive ability, learning and memory ability, execution capacity, low leg function. However, the result of depression was no significant change.