Skip to main content
. 2025 Apr 14;54:103072. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103072

Table 2.

Characteristics Summary of Randomized Controlled Trials Examining How Traditional Chinese Exercises Affect Low Back Pain in Adults Over 40 Years of Age, Database Search from Inception to 2024.

Author Sample size Mean age Type Duration Intervention
Observation indicators
Experimental group intervention Control group intervention
Sun et al., 2021 N = 70
Control group = 25
Experimental group = 18
Dropout = 27
Control Group = 71.44 ± 4.28
Experimental group = 70.71 ± 3.89
Seated Baduanjin 24 Weeks Control group modality + seated Baduanjin (single exercise duration within 15 min, adhere to every other day regular morning and evening exercise once, ensure exercise more than 20 times in 4 weeks, continuous intervention for 6 months) Optimize lifestyle interventions + medications VAS1, Modified ODI2, Bone Mineral Density
Li et al., 2022 N = 80
Control group = 39
Experimental Group = 37
Dropout = 4
Control Group = 70.74 + 6.96
Experimental group = 68.86 + 4.63
Baduanjin 12 weeks Control group modality + Baduanjin (45 min/d, 4 d/week, 12 weeks) Routine health education for chronic low back pain VAS, Modified ODI
Fang et al., 2015 N = 72
Control group = 31
Experimental Group =32
Dropout = 9
Control Group = 53.88 ± 14.17
Experimental group = 52.91 ± 15.80
Five-animal exercises 24 weeks Five-animal exercises Program (Patients can generally practice the whole set, or choose to practice 1–2 of the pieces. The exercise intensity is controlled at 60 % ∼ 70 % of the maximum heart rate. The time of each exercise is controlled at 30–60 min, 3–4 times a week for 6 months). Rehabilitation Gymnastics (using the rehabilitation gymnastics program from McKenzie Gymnastics Au, with each session lasting 30–60 min, 3–4 times a week for 6 months) Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, lumbar and abdominal muscle group mechanical performance indicator
Chen et al., 2023 N = 74
Control group = 37
Experimental group = 37
Control Group = 68. 18 ± 8.79
Experimental group = 67.89 ± 8.57
water Tai Chi 8 weeks Water Tai Chi Training (30 min, including 5 min each for warm-up and relaxation. 3 times/w. 8 w/w consecutive, 8 w for 1 class) Core muscle training program (30 min/times. 3 times/w, continuous training for 8 w, 8 w for 1 treatment course) Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Ding and Wang, 2014 N = 40
Control Group = 18
Experimental group = 22
Control Group = 60.89 + 4.92
Experimental group = 61.05 + 4.66
Vertical Baduanjin 12 Weeks Vertical Baduanjin Training (5 reps/w, 40 min/rep, workout time is 12 w) Take ibuprofen extended-release capsules for pain VAS, modified ODI, lumbar lordosis, sacral tilt angle, lumbar mobility
Wang et al., 2017 N = 119
Control Group = 45
Experimental group = 45
Dropout = 29
Control Group = 66.55 + 3.55
Experimental group = 66.72 + 3.21
Baduanjin 12 weeks Control group modality + Baduanjin (2–3 sessions of Baduanjin exercise each early in the morning and after dinner, after a moderate amount of food and drink, and after emptying urine and feces) Magnetic heat treatment + interferential electric therapy (the treatment time is 20 min, once a day, 3–4 times a week, 4 weeks for a course of treatment, a total of 3 courses) VAS, Roland-Morris Questionnaire, intra-abdominal pressure test
Liu et al., 2021 N = 120
Control group = 53
Experimental Group = 47
Dropout = 20
Control Group = 60.92 + 7.52
Experimental group = 58.34 + 4.89
Baduanjin 12 Weeks Control group: Treatment + Baduanjin (practiced five times a week for at least 30 min each time). (See the 2003 edition of the State General Administration of Sport for the specific movements of Baduanjin). The control group was guided by professionals for recovery treatment (included medication and aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise includes walking, jogging, cycling) VAS, modified ODI
Zou et al., 2019 N = 28
Control group = 13
Experimental group = 15
Control Group = 60.92 + 7.52
Experimental group = 60.67 + 2.58
Tai Chi 12 weeks Modified Chens Tai Chi movements (60 min per session, three times a week for 12 weeks) Control Group Maintains Normal Daily Activities VAS, lower extremity neuromuscular function indicators
Yan et al., 2022 N = 20
Control group = 10
Experimental group = 10
Control Group = 70.00 + 1.26
Experimental group = 68.00 + 1.15
Tai Chi 6 weeks Tai Chi (practice Tai Chi 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Each session lasts 60 min) Control Group Maintains Normal Daily Activities VAS, spatio-temporal gait measures, dynamic balance measures
Teut et al., 2016 N = 115
Control Group = 57
Experimental group = 58
Control Group = 72.6 ± 6.0
Experimental group = 72.4 ± 5.7
Qigong 12 Weeks Qigong Group (12 sessions of 90 min for 3 months) Control group receives no additional intervention VAS, Short Form −36, depression scale, self-efficacy, grip strength test
Liu et al., 2019 N = 28
Control Group = 13
Experimental group = 15
Control Group = 60.67 ± 2.58
Experimental group = 58.13 ± 5.38
Chens Tai Chi 12 Weeks Chens Tai Chi Chuan (60 min three times a week for 12 weeks) Control group receives no additional intervention VAS, knee and ankle joint position sense

1. VAS: Visual Analogue Scale.

2. ODI: Oswestry Disability Index.