Comparative effect of Tai-Chi Chuan Versus Aerobic Exercise in Patients with Parkinson’s disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exercise is seen as an important aspects in the management of Parkinson’s disease, one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in the world. Tai-Chi Chuan, a mind and body exercise, is widely known for its proven benefits in controlling Parkinson’s disease symptoms and could be an alternative exercise compared to conventional aerobic exercise. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of Tai-Chi Chuan compared to aerobic exercise in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Systematic review approach based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was done across 4 databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science direct, and Cochrane. Included studies went through quality assessment using RoB2.0 or ROBINS-I and quantitative assessment using RevMan 5.4.1. From 173 studies, only three studies were eligible. A total of 581 samples were divided into 295 in Tai-Chi and 286 in the aerobic exercise group. Our analysis showed that two studies were low risk in bias and one moderate risk. Tai-Chi group showed a statistically significant better performance in Foot-up and go test [SMD = -0.61; 95% CI (-0.79, -0.44) P = 0.06]and 50-foot walk [SMD = -1.06; 95% CI (-1.86, -0.26) P = 0.009]. Furthermore, Aerobic exercise has a favorable response towards the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and VO2 max without the significance shown. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed favorable response to both exercise in Parkinson’s disease. Tai-Chi helps Parkinson’s disease in improvements on motor symptoms meanwhile Aerobic exercise in cardiovascular health.