Table 2.
Characteristics of the included studies.
| Study year | Type of participant characteristics | Intervention methods I/C | Frequency, follow-up time I/C | Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Sample size | Age, mean | Sex | ||||
| Lansinger et al. (2007) | RCT | T = 122, I = 60, C = 62 | I = 44.9 ± 12.3, C = 42.8 ± 1.4 | F = 86, M = 36 | Qigong vs. exercise therapy | 1 or 2 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session, 3 months | VAS, NDI, ROM |
| von Trott et al. (2009） | RCT | T = 77, I = 38, C = 39 | I = 75.9 ± 7.6, C = 76.0 ± 7.2 | F = 95%, M = 5% | Qigong vs. exercise therapy | 2 sessions/week, 45 minutes/session, 3 months | VAS, NPDS, SF-36 |
| Rendant et al. (2011) | RCT | T = 81, I = 42, C = 39 | I = 44.7 ± 10.8, C = 44.4 ± 10.9 | I:F = 85%, M = 14%, C:F = 89.7%, M = 10.3% | Qigong vs. exercise therapy | 1 session/week, 90 minutes/session, 3 months | VAS, NPDS, GSE, SF-36 |
| Lansinger et al. (2013) | RCT | T = 122, I = 60, C = 62 | I = 44.9 ± 12.3, C = 42.8 ± 1.4 | F = 70%, M = 30% | Qigong vs. exercise therapy | 10–12 sessions/week or biweekly, 60 minutes/session, 3 months | SF-36 |
| Hu et al. (2014) | RCT | T = 250, I = 125, C = 125 | I = 44.55 ± 12.42, C = 45.02 ± 12.2, 1 | F = 138, M = 112 | 12-words-for-life-nurturing exercise vs. no treatment | 1 session/week, approximately 40 minutes/session, 3 months | VAS, NDI, SF-36 |
| Lauche et al. (2016) | RCT | T = 75, I = 38, C = 37 | I = 52.0 ± 10.9, C = 47.0 ± 12.3 | F = 91, M = 23 | Tai chi vs. neck exercise | 1 session/week, 75–90 minutes/session, 3 months | VAS, POM, NDI, SF-36 |
Abbreviations: RCT: randomized controlled trial; I/C: intervention/control group; T: total number of participants; VAS: visual analogue scale; NDI: neck disability index; NPDS: neck pain and disability scale; SF-36: 36-item short-form health survey; ROM: range of motion; GSE: general self-efficacy scale; POM: pain on movement.