The importance of differentiating the three modalities of Tai Chi Chuan practice in clinical trials – A critical review

• Published in: European journal of integrative medicine Vol. 17; pp. 45 - 55
• Main Authors: Jiménez-Martín, Pedro Jesús, Liu, Haoqing, Meléndez Ortega, Agustín
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Body-mind therapies; Chikung; Chinese medicine; Complementary and alternative medicine; Energy medicine; Health; Martial arts; Qigong; Research methodology; Sport; Systematic review; Tai Chi Chuan; Taijiquan; Complementary and alternative medicine; Energy medicine; Health; Qigong; Systematic review; Tai Chi Chuan; Chinese medicine; Sport; Body-mind therapies; Martial arts; Chikung; Research methodology; Taijiquan
• ISSN: 1876-3820; 1876-3839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2017.11.007

Three different modalities have emerged in the historic evolution of Tai Chi Chuan (martial, sports and therapeutic) with clearly differentiated objectives and methods. The purpose of this article is to identify whether the research that is being carried out in relation to this activity bears these three modalities in mind when delimiting and interpreting its effects on the health of its practitioners.
Eight electronic data bases were searched for publications up to January 2017. Ninety-six systematic reviews and meta-analyses exclusively dedicated to this activity were used. In the analysis we differentiated between the reviews which offered information on the TCC style, the form used in the studies and those which made no mention of them.
The most common forms used in the research design associated with TCC correspond to those linked to the sports modality of this activity, while the forms associated with the therapeutic modality are scarcely present. Moreover, a large number of reviews include in their analyses studies which do not mention the TCC form or styled used.
The current reviews being written on the subject of TCC indiscriminately mix in their analyses the effects of the forms associated with the different modalities and thus contribute to maintaining a partial and confused vision of the scope and potential benefits offered by this activity.