TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Tai Chi on biomarkers and their implication to neurorehabilitation – a systemic review
AU - Liu, Howe
AU - Salem, Yasser
AU - Aggarwal, Sonali
N1 - Funding Information:
None. If further information about this study is required please contact the authors.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2022/2
Y1 - 2022/2
N2 - Introduction: As an effective holistic therapeutic exercise program, Tai Chi has been widely used for patients with a variety of neurological disorders. In last 1-2 decades, there has been an increase in the number of research studies that examined the Tai Chi effects on biomarkers including inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stressors, and neurotrophic factors. Thus, the purpose of this article was to review such effects and their possible implication to neurorehabilitation. Method: In this systematic review, we searched Tai Chi-related articles from the last 15 years until July 2020 that had investigated changes of biomarkers after Tai Chi practice. The search identified 24 studies (21 randomized control trials, 2 cross-sectional studies, and 1 single group pre- and post- comparison) that were included in our analysis. Results: Tai Chi practice may be able to 1) reduce pro-inflammatory contributors (Interleukins -1, 6, 10, 12, tumor necrosis factor, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and the C-reactive protein) and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukins -10 and 13); 2) decrease oxidative stress factors (like plasma 8-isoprostane, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonylation); and 3) increase neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and N-Acetylaspartate). Conclusions: Tai Chi practice mediates anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, and neural plasticity indicating its effect on modulating the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and on potential effectiveness in neurorehabilitation.
AB - Introduction: As an effective holistic therapeutic exercise program, Tai Chi has been widely used for patients with a variety of neurological disorders. In last 1-2 decades, there has been an increase in the number of research studies that examined the Tai Chi effects on biomarkers including inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stressors, and neurotrophic factors. Thus, the purpose of this article was to review such effects and their possible implication to neurorehabilitation. Method: In this systematic review, we searched Tai Chi-related articles from the last 15 years until July 2020 that had investigated changes of biomarkers after Tai Chi practice. The search identified 24 studies (21 randomized control trials, 2 cross-sectional studies, and 1 single group pre- and post- comparison) that were included in our analysis. Results: Tai Chi practice may be able to 1) reduce pro-inflammatory contributors (Interleukins -1, 6, 10, 12, tumor necrosis factor, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and the C-reactive protein) and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukins -10 and 13); 2) decrease oxidative stress factors (like plasma 8-isoprostane, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonylation); and 3) increase neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and N-Acetylaspartate). Conclusions: Tai Chi practice mediates anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, and neural plasticity indicating its effect on modulating the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and on potential effectiveness in neurorehabilitation.
KW - Biomarkers
KW - Inflammatory cytokines
KW - Neurological disorders
KW - Neurotrophic factors
KW - Oxidative stressors
KW - Systematic review
KW - Tai Chi
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124826157&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101391
DO - 10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101391
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85124826157
SN - 1876-3820
VL - 50
JO - European Journal of Integrative Medicine
JF - European Journal of Integrative Medicine
M1 - 101391
ER -