Characteristics of included studies [ordered by study ID]
Jianjiang 1999
|
| Methods | CCT |
|
| | Participants | adults (age 16-56) with rheumatoid arthritis. |
|
| | Interventions | oral Shan Pi Tang decoction with: health education (RA knowledge adn method of exercises); exercise every morning for one hour (slow running, walk, gymnastics, Tai Ji Quan, massage on diseased articulation 30 min every evening, and hot compress there using Shan Pi Tang's decocted herbs residues 15 mnutes) |
|
| | Outcomes | Recovery rate, markedly effective rate, effective rate, relapse rate (how many participants were tested at posttest) |
|
| | Notes | Quality
R0, B0, W0 |
|
| | Risk of bias |
| | Item | Authors' judgement | Description |
| | Allocation concealment? | Unclear | B - Unclear |
|
|
Kirsteins 1991A
|
| Methods | RCT |
|
| | Participants | (from inclusion criteria)
ambulatory adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after age 18 and on a stable regimen of medications for a sufficient time for maximal results.
Age: 37-70 |
|
| | Interventions | tai-chi instruction
frequency = once per week for 10 weeks, for 60 minute sessions |
|
| | Outcomes | Joint tenderness, functional assessment, # swollen joints, 50 foot walk, grip strength |
|
| | Notes | Quality
R0, B0, W0 |
|
| | Risk of bias |
| | Item | Authors' judgement | Description |
| | Allocation concealment? | Unclear | D - Not used |
|
|
Kirsteins 1991B
|
| Methods | RCT |
|
| | Participants | (from inclusion criteria)
ambulatory adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after age 18 and on a stable regimen of medications for a sufficient time for maximal results.
age: 38-72 |
|
| | Interventions | tai-chi instruction
frequency = twice per week for 10 weeks, for 60 minute sessions |
|
| | Outcomes | Joint tenderness, functional assessment, # swollen joints, 50 foot walk, grip strength |
|
| | Notes | R0, B0, W0 |
|
| | Risk of bias |
| | Item | Authors' judgement | Description |
| | Allocation concealment? | Unclear | D - Not used |
|
|
Van Deusen 1987
|
| Methods | RCT |
|
| | Participants | Ambulatory adults with rheumatoid arthritis who had medical recommendations for home rest and exercise and no prior ROM Dance
experience
age: 55.91, 29-80, 2.60
disease duation: 10.92. 0-38. 2.17 |
|
| | Interventions | tai-chi ROM Dance program (including health education)
frequency = once per week for 8 weeks, for 90 minute sessions |
|
| | Outcomes | upper and lower range of extremity range of motion, frequency, benefit adn enjoyment of exercise of dance program. (scale 3-15) |
|
| | Notes | R1, B0, W0 |
|
| | Risk of bias |
| | Item | Authors' judgement | Description |
| | Allocation concealment? | Unclear | D - Not used |
|
|
R = assessment of randomisation (2 points)
B = double-blinding procedures (2 points)
W = description of withdrawals and dropouts (1 point)
Characteristics of excluded studies [ordered by study ID]
|
| Study | Reason for exclusion |
|---|
| | Hartman 2000 | Study on osteoarthrits |
|
|
Comparison 1. Efficacy: Functional and clinical outcomes
|
| Outcome or subgroup title | No. of studies | No. of participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
|---|
| | 1 Functional assessment | 2 | 52 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.01 [-2.94, 2.97] |
| | 2 Joint tenderness (Ritchie index) | 2 | 53 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | -0.83 [-3.30, 1.64] |
| | 3 # swollen joints | 2 | 50 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 2.45 [-0.45, 5.36] |
| | 4 50 foot walk (seconds) | 2 | 48 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.35 [-1.14, 1.84] |
| | 5 Grip strength | 2 | 51 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | -0.08 [-0.26, 0.10] |
| | 6 Patient global: number rated "recovery" at 2 months | 1 | 68 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.67 [0.35, 1.30] |
| | 7 Patient global: number rated "recovery" at 3 months | 1 | 68 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.94 [0.47, 1.87] |
|
|
Comparison 2. Efficacy: Range of motion
|
| Outcome or subgroup title | No. of studies | No. of participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
|---|
| | 1 Shoulder flexion (degrees) | 1 | 33 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 21.0 [-17.56, 59.56] |
| | 2 Shoulder internal and external rotation (degrees) | 1 | 33 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 42.00 [-7.97, 91.97] |
| | 3 Total upper extremity combined: above ranges plus elbow flexion and wrist flexion (degrees) | 1 | 33 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 56.0 [-63.90, 175.90] |
| | 4 Ankle plantar flexion (degrees) | 1 | 33 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 24.0 [3.34, 44.66] |
| | 5 Lower extremity flexion: hip, knee, ankle dorsal flexion (degrees) | 1 | 33 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 34.0 [10.79, 57.21] |
|
|
Comparison 3. Efficacy: self-reported enjoyment
Comparison 4. Safety: Tai Chi versus control
|
| Outcome or subgroup title | No. of studies | No. of participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
|---|
| | 1 Withdrawals Overall | 4 | 189 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.37 [0.19, 0.72] |
|
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