Skip to main content
. 2021 Dec 16;12:794062. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.794062

Table 2.

Summary of traditional exercise included in this review.

Study author Study design Number of studies/subjects Intervention studied Relevant outcome Main finding
An et al., 2008 Prospective N = 28 Baduanjin WOMAC, SF-36, 6-MWT, Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors (ISKE) and BMI Relieve pain, reduce stiffness, improve general and emotion health, decrease disability, enhance knee extensors and flexors strength, improve aerobic ability, and lose weight
An et al., 2013 Prospective N = 28 Baduanjin WOMAC, SF-36, 6-MWT, Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors and Flexors (ISKEF), and BMI Relieve pain, reduce stiffness, improve general and emotion health, decrease disability, enhance knee extensors and flexors strength, improve aerobic ability, and lose weight
Chen et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2019a Multiple mode MRI study N = 140 Tai Chi, Baduanjin, stationary cycling, health education KOOS, functional and structural MRI, and serum biomarkers Reduce pain, decrease BDNF, IFN-γ, PD-1, and TIM-3, and modulate brain areas known to be involved in the opioidergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems
Liu et al., 2019b Multiple mode MRI study N = 140 Tai Chi, Baduanjin, stationary cycling, and health education KOOS, functional MRI, serum biomarkers Relieve pain, decrease BDNF, INF-γ, PD-1, and TIM-3, and decreased the rsFC between the bilateral DLPFC and bilateral
Lee et al., 2018 Prospective N = 182 Tai Chi, physical therapy exercise WOMAC, VAS, SF-36, Kellgren and Lawrence grade Relieve pain, improve physical function
Zhang et al., 2020 Prospective N = 46 Tai Chi Plantar load assessment (peak pressure and maximum force) Increase plantar loads in forefoot
You et al., 2021 Systematic review and meta-analysis 11 studies Tai Chi 6-MWT, TUG test, and WOMAC Improve dynamic stability and walking capacity
Ghandali et al., 2017 Prospective N = 20 Tai Chi Area and mean velocity of CoP, Postural stability and control Improve motor control and postural stability
Brismee et al., 2007 RCT N = 41 Group and home-based tai chi VAS, WOMAC, active range of motion for flexion and extension Reduce pain, improve physical function
Hu et al., 2020 Prospective N = 52 Tai Chi VAS, WOMAC, and knee and ankle proprioception Reduce pain, improve ankle and knee proprioception
Tsai et al., 2013 Pilot cluster-randomized trial N = 55 Tai Chi WOMAC, Get Up and Go test, Sit-to-Stand test, and Mini-Mental State Examination Reduce pain, improve stiffness, improve physical function, and improve cognitive function
Hu et al., 2021 Systematic review and meta-analysis 16 studies (N = 986) Tai Chi WOMAC, 6-MWT, dynamic balance, and physiological and psychological health Reduce pain, maintain mobility, enhance muscle strength, enhance range of joint motion, and ameliorate physical and mental health
Xiao et al., 2021 RCT N = 68 Wuqinxi WOMAC, Berg Balance Scale, TUG Test, 6-MWT, 30sCST, and isokinetic muscle strength testing of knee flexion and extension Decline pain, increase knee extensor strength and Knee flexor strength
Xiao et al., 2020 RCT N = 98 Wuqinxi Berg Balance Scale, TUG Test, 6-MWT, 30sCST, WOMAC, knee extension strength, and knee flexion strength Decline pain, increase knee extensor strength, and Knee flexor strength
Xiao and Li, 2021 Prospective N = 284 Wuqinxi Limits of stability tests, static posture stability tests, dynamic fall index tests, WOMAC, and SF-36 Reduce pain, improve balance function, and improve subjective quality of life
Cheung et al., 2014 RCT N = 36 Yoga WOMAC, QoS, QoL, repeated chair stands, balance, and timed 8 foot walk Reduce pain, decrease stiffness, improve sleep, and improve physical function
Moonaz et al., 2015 RCT N = 75 Yoga SF-36, HRQoL Increase physical activity, improve physical and mental health, and improve quality of life
Longpre et al., 2015 Prospective N = 30 Yoga-based knee strengthening exercises Muscle Activation, Knee Adduction Moment Improve leg strength
Kuntz et al., 2018 RCT N = 31 Biomechanically-based yoga KOOS, ICOAP, self-reported physical function, 6-MWT,30sCST, 40 m W, TUG test, stair ascent test, muscle strength, CESD, and HRQoL Reduce pain, improve physical function, improve quality of life, increase muscle strength, and improve mobility

BDNF, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BMI, body mass index; CoP, Center of Pressure; DLPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; HRQoL: health-related quality of life; INF-γ, interferon-γ; KOOS, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PD-1, programmed cell death protein 1; QoL, quality of life; QoS, quality of sleep; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SF-36, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey; TIM-3, T-cell Ig-and mucin-domain–containing molecule–3; TUG test, Timed Up and Go test; VAS, Visual Analog Scale; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; 6-MWT, 6-min walk test; 30sCST, 30 s Chair Stand Test; 40 m W, 40-meter walk; and CESD, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.