Exploring the Effects of Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga on Fatigue, Mental Health, and Sleep Quality in Chronic Fatigue and Post-COVID Syndromes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect of Tai Chi, along with qigong and yoga, on fatigue and associated symptoms in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or post-COVID syndrome (PCS).
Results Summary
Tai Chi, along with other mindful exercises, was found to be more effective than control interventions in reducing fatigue and improving anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, though the certainty of evidence was low or very low due to methodological concerns.
Population
Adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or post-COVID syndrome (PCS).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
qigong, tai chi, and yoga | decrease | fatigue | adults with CFS or PCS | SMD (95%CI) = -0.44 (-0.63 to -0.25) | were more effective than control interventions to alleviate | #1 |
qigong, tai chi, and yoga | decrease | anxiety | adults with CFS or PCS | - | Positive effects were also observed for | #2 |
qigong, tai chi, and yoga | decrease | depression | adults with CFS or PCS | - | Positive effects were also observed for | #3 |
qigong, tai chi, and yoga | increase | sleep quality | adults with CFS or PCS | - | Positive effects were also observed for | #4 |
Background/Objectives: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and post-COVID syndrome (PCS) pose a substantial socioeconomic burden. The aim of this systematic review was to assess current evidence regarding the effect of the most popular forms of movement-based mindful exercises, i.e., qigong, tai chi, and yoga, on fatigue and associated symptoms in CFS and PCS. Methods: CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where qigong, tai chi, or yoga were compared with waitlist, no intervention, or active controls were included. Independent reviewers participated in data extraction, and evaluated risk of bias, spin of information, completeness of intervention description, and certainty of the evidence (GRADE). Meta-analyses were conducted. The primary outcome was the level of fatigue. Secondary measures were the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms and sleep quality. Results were expressed as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Thirteen RCTs with 661 participants were included, with most studies presenting a moderate or high risk of bias. Mindful exercises were more effective than control interventions to alleviate fatigue: SMD (95%CI) = -0.44 (-0.63 to -0.25), I2 = 48%, p < 0.0001. Positive effects were also observed for secondary outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was low or very low. Conclusions: Qigong, tai chi, and yoga may be effective to reduce fatigue and improve anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in adults with CFS or PCS. However, serious methodological concerns limit the clinical applicability of these findings.