Tai Chi Research Articles

There have been many recent clinical research studies exploring the physical and mental health benefits to practicing tai chi. Here are the links to the published research article abstracts. Many of these studies are cited from The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi by Peter M. Wayne, PhD, with Mark L. Fuerst. 

Arthritis

Biomechanical analysis of the meniscus and cartilage of the knee during a typical Tai Chi movement - brush-knee and twist-step, January 2019

Comparative Effectiveness of Tai Chi Versus Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial, July 2016

Tai Chi and Rheumatic Diseases, December 2010

Tai Chi for Disease Activity and Flexibility in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis—A Controlled Clinical Trial, July 2007

Balance and Strength

Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Tai Ji Quan Intervention vs a Multimodal Exercise Intervention to Prevent Falls Among Older Adults at High Risk of Falling, October 2018 ​

Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on Fall Prevention in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, September 2016

Stability limits, single-leg jump, and body awareness in older Tai Chi practitioners, February 2010

Muscle action pattern and knee extensor strength of older Tai Chi exercisers, 2008

Standing balance after vestibular stimulation in Tai Chi-practicing and nonpracticing healthy older adults, April 2006

The Effects on Sensorimotor Performance and Balance With Tai Chi Training, January 2006

Ground contact characteristics of Tai Chi gait, August 2005

Tai Chi and vestibular rehabilitation improve vestibulopathic gait via different neuromuscular mechanisms: Preliminary report, February 2005

Tai Chi and Fall Reductions in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial, February 2005

Comparison of muscle torque, balance, and confidence in older tai chi and healthy adults, February 2005

Effect of tai chi exercise on proprioception of ankle and knee joints in old people, February 2004

Effect of tai chi exercise on proprioception of ankle and knee joints in old people, February 2003

The Effect of T'AI Chi Chuan Training on Balance, Kinesthetic Sense, and Strength, February 1997

Reducing Frailty and Falls in Older Persons: An Investigation of Tai Chi and Computerized Balance Training, May 1996

Bone Health

Impact of Tai Chi exercise on multiple fracture-related risk factors in post-menopausal osteopenic women: a pilot pragmatic, randomized trial, January 2012

The effects of Tai Chi on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review, May 2007

Beneficial effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on musculoskeletal system, March 2005

Cancer and Immune System

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Insulin and Cytokine Levels in a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study on Breast Cancer Survivors, June 2011

Tai Chi Boosts Immunity to Shingles Virus in Older Adults, NIH-Sponsored Study Reports, April 2007

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary

Tai Chi and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Compared for Treatment-Naive Patients With COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial, May 2018

Tai Chi Is a Promising Exercise Option for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Declining Cardiac Rehabilitation, October 2017

The effects of Tai Chi on waist circumference and blood pressure in the elderly, January 2017

The Impact of Tai Chi Exercise on Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Empowerment in Heart Failure: Insights from a Qualitative Sub-Study from a Randomized Controlled Trial, May 2016

Tai chi exercise in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomized clinical trial, April 2011

Tai chi Qigong improves lung functions and activity tolerance in COPD clients: a single blind, randomized controlled trial, February 2011

Tai Chi Exercise for Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions and Risk Factors: A Systematic Review, May 2009

EFFECTS OF TAI CHI QIGONG TRAINING ON EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND AIRWAY INFLAMMATION IN MODERATE TO SEVERE PERSISTENT ASTHMA, October 2008

Measurement Properties of Tai Chi Exercise Self-Efficacy among Ethnic Chinese with Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Pilot Study, December 2004

The Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise in Improving Aerobic Capacity: A Meta-Analysis, January 2004

The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and anxiety status in a randomized controlled trial, October 2003

Cognitive Function and Mental Health

Benefits of Tai Chi Chuan Intervention on Cognitive Switch Function are Related to Parietal Function and Structural Plasticity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults, July 2017

A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Study of Tai Chi With Passive and Active Controls in the Treatment of Depressed Chinese Americans, May 2017

Impact of Short- and Long-term Tai Chi Mind-Body Exercise Training on Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults: Results from a Hybrid Observational Study and Randomized Trial, July 2015

Tai Chi as an Alternative and Complimentary Therapy for Anxiety, December 2014

Tai Chi Chuan optimizes the functional organization of the intrinsic human brain architecture in older adults, April 2014

Tai Chi Increases Brain Size and Benefits Cognition in Randomized Controlled Trial of Chinese Elderly, June 2012

Complementary Use of Tai Chi Chih Augments Escitalopram Treatment of Geriatric Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial, October 2011

The Effect of Tai Chi in Reducing Anxiety in an Ambulatory Population, April 2009

Tactile acuity in experienced Tai Chi practitioners: evidence for use dependent plasticity as an effect of sensory-attentional training, June 2008

Diabetes and Neuropathy

Long Term Tai Chi Exercise Improves Physical Performance Among People with Peripheral Neuropathy, 2010

Effect of 12-week tai chi chuan exercise on peripheral nerve modulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, November 2009

Fibromyalgia

Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial, March 2018

Gerontology

Tai Chi, Self-Efficacy, and Physical Function in the Elderly, December 2001

12-month Tai Chi training in the elderly: its effect on health fitness, March 1998

Parkinson's Disease

The impact of Tai Chi and Qigong mind-body exercises on motor and non-motor function and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis, April 2017

Tai Chi and Postural Stability in Patients with Parkinson's Disease, February 2012

Back to Resources