Tai Chi and Qigong to Enhance Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundPopulation aging and associated cognitive decline presents major public health challenges. Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) have gained attention as potential non-pharmacological approaches to improve brain health.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of TCQ on neuropsychological performance among community-dwelling older adults, considering cognitive level and dose-response.MethodsFollowing Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched from inception to February 2024. Thirty-one randomized trials involving 3,766 participants were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsTCQ significantly improved overall neuropsychological performance (SMD = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.42-0.89) and specific domains, with standardized mean differences ranging from 0.64 for global cognition to 2.25 for attention, among older adults with or without cognitive impairments. No dose-response relationship was observed, suggesting that the benefits of TCQ were consistent across varying intervention durations, frequencies, and control group types.ConclusionFindings support TCQ as a feasible non-pharmacological intervention for cognitive enhancement in community-dwelling older adults.