he Effects of Tai Chi on Bone Mineral Density in ostmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for Tai Chi as an interention to reduce rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Data Sources: Literature search using Medline, Science itation Index, Cochrane databases, China Biological Mediine Database, and additional manual reference searches of etrieved articles and personal libraries. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), propective cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies that inluded Tai Chi as an intervention, and had at least 1 outcome elated to measurement of bone mineral density (BMD). Data Extraction: Authors critically reviewed studies, evalated methodologic quality, and synthesized study results in a ummary table. Data Synthesis: Six controlled studies were identified by ur search. There were 2 RCTs, 2 nonrandomized prospective arallel cohort studies, and 2 cross-sectional studies. The 2 CTs and 1 of the prospective cohort studies suggested that Tai hi-naive women who participated in Tai Chi training exhibted reduced rates of postmenopausal declines in BMD. Crossectional studies suggested that long-term Tai Chi practitioners ad higher BMD than age-matched sedentary controls, and had lower rates of postmenopausal BMD decline. No adverse ffects related to Tai Chi were reported in any trial. Conclusions: Conclusions on the impact of Tai Chi on BMD re limited by the quantity and quality of research to date. This imited evidence suggests Tai Chi may be an effective, safe, nd practical intervention for maintaining BMD in postmenoausal women. In combination with research that indicates Tai hi can positively impact other risk factors associated with low MD (eg, reduced fall frequency, increased musculoskeletal trength), further methodologically sound research is warranted o better evaluate the impact of Tai Chi practice on BMD and racture risk in postmenopausal women.