Table 2. Summary of characteristics of included studies.
| References | Participants | Study design | Intervention group | Control group | Main outcomes | Results |
| Ni et al., 2010, China17) |
35 clients with KOA ACR clinical criteria Age: 62.89 y (IG) 63.47 y (CG)100% Female |
RCT Single-blinded Computer-generated blocked randomization Sample size (allocated/completed): 35/29 RCT |
TC group (n=18) 24-form simplified Yang style TC 24-week program Three 8-week sessions gradually increasing frequency (2 d/w, 3 d/w, 4 d/w) 30 min/d |
Attention controlled (n=17): Wellness education & stretching Once a week45 min/d Attention controlled group (n=20) |
Physical function WOMAC total WOMAC pain WOMAC stiffness WOMAC function |
p= 0.000 p= 0. 001 p= 0.043 p= 0.000 p= 0.001 |
| Wang et al., 2009, USA19) |
35 clients with KOA ACR clinical criteria Radiographic K/L scale grade≥2 Age: 63 y (IG) 68 y (CG) M/F: 1/3 |
Single-blinded Computer-generated blocked randomization Sample size (allocated/completed): 40/40 |
TC group (n=20) 10 forms from Yang style TC 12-week program Twice a week 60 min/session |
Wellness education & stretching 12-week program Twice a week 60 min/session |
Stair climb time 6-min walk distance (Assessed at 0 w, 24 w) WOMACPainPhysical function Patient VAS Physician VAS Chair stand time CES-D SF 36-PCS |
p= 0.003 At 12 week: p= 0.0005 p= 0.001 p= 0.01 p= 0.002 p= 0.00005 p= 0.009p= 0.004 |
| Brismee et al., 2007, USA21) |
41 clients with KOA ARA classification criteria Age: 70.8 y (IG) 68.8 y (CG) M/F: 86.4% female (IG) 78.9% female (CG) |
RCTSingle-blinded A random table Sample size (allocated/completed): 41/31 |
TC group (n=22): 24-form simplified Yang style TC 6-week instructed group class + 6-week home practice 3 times/week 40 min/session Setting: hospital/home |
Health related lecture (n=19): Lectures+ Discussion 6-week program 3 times/week 40 min/session |
Pain (VAS) Maximum Minimum Overall Physical function (WOMAC) PainStiffness Physical function Overall Knee ROM (Assessed at 0 w, 3 w, 6 w, 12 w, 15 w, 18 w) |
Between group (p< 0.05) at 9 weeks: Overall & maximum pain, WOMAC overall, pain & physical function subscale at 12 weeks: Overall pain, WOMAC physical function subscale at 6 weeks: Maximum pain Within group (p< 0.05) at 9 weeks: Overall & maximum pain, WOMAC overall, pain, stiffness, & physical function subscale at 12 weeks: Overall & maximum pain, WOMAC overall,stiffness, & physical function subscale at 6 weeks: WOMAC stiffness subscaleDetraining effects: knee ROM |
| Song et al., 2010, Korea18) |
82 clients with KOA ACR clinical criteria Radiographic K/L scale grade≥2 Age: 63.03 y (IG) 61.20 y (CG) 100% female |
RCT Single-blinded computer-generated random number Sample size (allocated/completed): 82/65 |
TC group (n=41): 31 forms of Sun-style TC with qigong breathing exercise 6-month program 2 session/week for 3 weeks Once a week 55–65 min/session ≥20 min/d at home Instructed by certified TC masters |
Self-help education (n=41): self-management skills & knowledge 6-month programOnce a month 2 hours/session |
Knee muscle strength extensor flexor Knee muscle endurance Ward’s triangle trochanter (Korean version of the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly) (Pre- and Post-test) |
p= 0.0137 (w13–18) p= 0.0296 (w12, 18) p= 0.01 p< 0.01 p= 0.02 p< 0.01 p= 0.01 |
| Lee et al., 2009, Korea20) |
44 clients with KOA Radiographic K/L scale grade≥2 Age: 70.2 y (IG) 66.9 y (CG) M/F: 93.1% (IG) 93.3% (CG) |
RCT Single-blinded Computer-generated balanced block randomization Sample size (allocated/completed): 44/41 |
TC Qigong (n=29) 18 TC movements incorporating intention of movement, enhancing awareness of breathing 8-week program Twice a week 60 min/session |
Waiting list (n=15) | Quality of life SF-36 Physical function WOMAC painPhysical perfor mance 6-min walk test |
p= 0.024 p= 0.030 p= 0.001 |
| Song et al., 2003,Korea22) |
72 clients with KOA ACR clinical criteria Radiographic K/L scale grade≥2 Age: 64.8 y (IG) 62.5 y (CG) (female) |
RCT Single-blinded A random table Sample size (allocated/completed): 72/43 |
TC group (n=22) 12 movements in Sun style TC 12-week program 3 times/w for 2 weeks 1 time/w for 10 weeks 2 min/set, 10~15 sets/session, 3~5 times for warm-up & cool-down 20 min/d at home |
Routine treatment (n=21) | K-WOMAC pain stiffness physical Physiological measures Balance Abdominal muscle trength |
p= 0.034 p= 0.039 p= 0.008 p= 0.002 p= 0.009 |