Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) on blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life in older patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsDatabase searches...

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Main Authors: Weimin Liu, Chong Chin Che, Ping Lei Chui, Zifeng Ma, Jing Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1499051/full
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author Weimin Liu
Weimin Liu
Chong Chin Che
Ping Lei Chui
Zifeng Ma
Jing Chen
author_facet Weimin Liu
Weimin Liu
Chong Chin Che
Ping Lei Chui
Zifeng Ma
Jing Chen
author_sort Weimin Liu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) on blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life in older patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsDatabase searches were systematically conducted across multiple platforms. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, utilizing the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool to gauge literature quality. Review Manager 5.3 was employed for data evaluation, calculating mean differences to ascertain pooled effect sizes.ResultsThis study encompassed 11 randomized controlled trials involving 944 individuals. The results showed that TCEs reduced fasting blood glucose (-0.76, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.38], P = 0.0001), HbA1c (-2.64, 95% CI [-4.81, -0.47], P = 0.02), and BMI (-0.83, 95% CI [-1.42, -0.24], P = 0.006), and improved health-related quality of life. Among the various forms of TCEs, Baduanjin (BDJ) appeared particularly beneficial.ConclusionsTraditional Chinese exercises can improve blood glucose levels, BMI and quality of life-related indicators to varying degrees in older diabetes patients, and may be a useful complementary therapy for this population.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-b83001d003aa45f3953bcffc2a74ee8c2025-08-20T02:57:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.14990511499051Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsWeimin Liu0Weimin Liu1Chong Chin Che2Ping Lei Chui3Zifeng Ma4Jing Chen5Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Emergency, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaParty Committee Office, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, ChinaObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) on blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life in older patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsDatabase searches were systematically conducted across multiple platforms. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, utilizing the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool to gauge literature quality. Review Manager 5.3 was employed for data evaluation, calculating mean differences to ascertain pooled effect sizes.ResultsThis study encompassed 11 randomized controlled trials involving 944 individuals. The results showed that TCEs reduced fasting blood glucose (-0.76, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.38], P = 0.0001), HbA1c (-2.64, 95% CI [-4.81, -0.47], P = 0.02), and BMI (-0.83, 95% CI [-1.42, -0.24], P = 0.006), and improved health-related quality of life. Among the various forms of TCEs, Baduanjin (BDJ) appeared particularly beneficial.ConclusionsTraditional Chinese exercises can improve blood glucose levels, BMI and quality of life-related indicators to varying degrees in older diabetes patients, and may be a useful complementary therapy for this population.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1499051/fullolder patientdiabetes mellitusblood glucosetraditional Chinese exercisesystematic reviewmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Weimin Liu
Weimin Liu
Chong Chin Che
Ping Lei Chui
Zifeng Ma
Jing Chen
Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Endocrinology
older patient
diabetes mellitus
blood glucose
traditional Chinese exercise
systematic review
meta-analysis
title Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_short Effect of traditional Chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_sort effect of traditional chinese exercise on older patients with diabetes mellitus a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
topic older patient
diabetes mellitus
blood glucose
traditional Chinese exercise
systematic review
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1499051/full
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