|
1. Inflammatory measures
|
| CRP |
Chen 2010 (TC) [68], Creswell 2012 (Med) [37], Irwin 2012; Irwin 2007 (TC) [60], [61], Lavertsky 2011 (TC) [67], Malarkey 2013 (Med) [51], Oh 2012; Oh 2010; Oh 2008 (QG) [72]–[74], Oken 2010 (Med) [43], Pullen 2010 (Yoga) [55], Pullen 2008 (Yoga) [54]
|
7 to 16 |
710 |
4 Moderate; 5 Low |
Finding 1. Our random-effects meta-analysis of 9 studies showed a medium effect on decreasing CRP (ES 0.58, 95% CI 0.04 to 1.12, P = 0.035). There was a statistically significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 97%, P<0.001). Finding 2. Stratified by clinical populations, the subgroup meta-analysis showed that studies in healthy people were homogenous and had an insignificant small effect on CRP (ES 0.2, 95% CI. −0.13 to 0.53), with an I2 = 0%, while studies in populations with disease conditions were heterogeneous and showed a significant effect on CRP (0.74, 95% CI. 0.00 to 1.48]), with an I2 = 94% |
| IL-6 |
Chen 2006 (QG) [69], Creswell 2012 (Med) [37], Irwin 2012; Irwin 2007 (TC) [60], [61], Janelsins 2011[63], Sprod 2012 (TC) [65], Malarkey 2013 (Med) [51], McCain 2008 (TC) [64], Oken 2010 (Med) [43], Pace 2009 (Med) [44], Pullen 2008 (Yoga) [54], Pullen 2010 (Yoga) [55], Zautra 2008 (Med) [49]
|
6 to16 |
594 |
2 High; 2 Moderate; 7 Low |
Finding 1. Our random-effects meta-analysis of 10 studies showed a small effect on decreasing IL-6 (ES 0.35, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.75, P = 0.08). There was a statistically significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 83%, P<0.001). Stratified by clinical populations, the subgroup meta-analysis showed no significant difference in the pooled effect on IL-6 between studies in healthy people and those in the population with disease conditions (ES 0.35 [95% CI. −0.22, 0.92] vs. 0.38 [95% CI. −0.23, 0.99], Pbetween = 0.91). Finding 2. 1 study not in meta-analysis reported “no significant changes” in cytokine levels (data not reported) following 10 weeks of Tai Chi or wait-list control in HIV patients. |
| TNF-α |
Elsenbruch 2005 (Med) [40], Manzaneque 2009 (QG) [71], McCain 2008 (TC) [64], Oken 2010 (Med) [43], Rao 2008 -2 articles (Yoga) [56], [59]
|
4 to 10 |
415 |
2 High; 1 Moderate; 2 Low |
Finding 1. Our random-effects meta-analysis of 3 studies showed a negligible to small effect on TNF-α (ES 0.21, 95% CI −0.15 to 0.58, P = 0.25). There is no significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.75). Finding 2. 2 studies not in meta-analysis both reported no significant changes in TNF-α comparing mind-body therapies to control interventions. |
| IL-8 |
Janelsins 2011 [63], Sprod 2012 (TC) [65], Barrett 2012 (Med) [36], Rozenkranz 2013 (Med) [45]
|
8 to12 |
158 |
1 High; 2 Low |
1 study showed significant increases in IL-8 from nasal wash during upper respiratory infection while 2 studies showed no significant change in IL-8 from serum or blister fluid. |
|
2. Anti-viral measures
|
| IFN-γ |
Gopal 2011 (Yoga) [53], Janelsins 2011 [63], Sprod 2012 (TC) [65], Manzaneque 2009 (QG) [71], McCain 2008 (TC) [64]
|
4 to 12 |
228 |
1 High; 1 Moderate; 2 Low |
3 studies (two in healthy individuals and one in breast cancer survivors) found no significant differences in cytokines (including IFN- γ), while one study found a large significant effect on IFN- γ among participants with HIV. |
| Lymphocyte Proliferation and vaccination responses |
Irwin 2003 (TC) [62], Irwin 2012; Irwin 2007 (TC) [60], [61], McCain 2008 (TC) [64], Davidson 2003 (Med) [39]
|
8 to 16 |
318 |
3 Low; 1 High |
Finding 1. 1 study found no significant effect immediately post-intervention but the overall lymphocyte function significantly improved versus control group at 6-month follow-up in patients with HIV. Finding 2. 2 studies showed a significant effect on VZV-RCF at rest and in response to vaccination in healthy older adults. Finding 3. 1 study also found significant increases in influenza antibody titer following influenza vaccination in healthy adults. |
| NK Cytotoxicity |
McCain 2008 (TC) [64]
|
10 |
252 |
1 Low |
1 study showed no significant change in NK cytotoxicity. |
|
3. Enumerative measures
|
| CD4 Lymphocytes |
Cade 2010 (Yoga) [52], Creswell 2009 (Med) [38], Elsenbruch 2005 (Med) [40], Hidderley 2004 (Med) [42], Lengacher 2013 (Med) [50], Manzaneque 2004 (QG) [70], McCain 2008 (TC) [64], SeyedAlinaghi 2012 (Med) [46], Solberg 1995 (Med) [47], Taylor 1995 (Med) [48], Wang 2011 (TC) [66]
|
4 to 20 |
777 |
8 High; 1 Moderate; 2 Low |
Finding 1. Our random-effects meta-analysis of 7 studies showed a negligible to small effect on the number of CD4+* T lymphocytes (ES 0.15, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.34, P = 0.13). There is no significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.79). Finding 2. 3 studies (1 in healthy individuals and 1 in HIV patients) reported no significant changes in the number of CD4*+ T lymphocytes, and 1 study in healthy college students reported a significant increased in CD4+ T lymphocyte count in Tai Chi but not in control group. |
| NK Cells |
Elsenbruch 2005 (Med) [40], Hidderley 2004 (Med) [42], Lengacher 2013 (Med) [50]
|
6 to 8 |
143 |
3 High |
Our random-effects meta-analysis of 3 studies showed a negligible to small effect on the number of NK cells ES 0.12, 95% CI −0.21 to 0.45, P = 0.47). There is no significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.48) |
| Salivary IgA |
Fan 2010 (Med) [41], Vogler 2011 (Yoga) [58]
|
4 to 8 |
73 |
2 High |
1 study reported a significant increase in salivary IgA compared to the control (P = 0.03), and another study reported no significant difference in salivary IgA between groups. |
| Total blood count |
Subramanian 2012 (Yoga) [57]
|
6 |
40 |
1 High |
1 study reported a decrease in neutrophils (P<0.01) and increase in lymphocytes (P<0.01) compared to the control group. |
