Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Diabetes. Jan 15, 2024; 15(1): 1-10
Published online Jan 15, 2024. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i1.1
Effects of Tai Chi in diabetes patients: Insights from recent research
Hidetaka Hamasaki
Hidetaka Hamasaki, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Hamasaki Clinic, Kagoshima 890-0046, Japan
Author contributions: Hamasaki H solely wrote this article.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hidetaka Hamasaki, FACP, MD, PhD, Doctor, Department of Endo-crinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Hamasaki Clinic, 2-21-4 Nishida, Kagoshima 890-0046, Japan. hhamasaki78@gmail.com
Received: October 21, 2023
Peer-review started: October 21, 2023
First decision: December 6, 2023
Revised: December 10, 2023
Accepted: December 28, 2023
Article in press: December 28, 2023
Published online: January 15, 2024
Processing time: 83 Days and 6.7 Hours
Abstract

Tai Chi, a practice that combines elements of both exercise and mindfulness, offers a wide range of health benefits. The body of evidence concerning the impact of Tai Chi on diabetes has recently been growing. This editorial aims to provide a concise summary of the current state of evidence for Tai Chi's effects on individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The review includes 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, all of which investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi on various health outcomes in individuals with T2D. Tai Chi demonstrates a significant effect to enhance glycemic control, lower blood pressure, improve serum lipid profiles, reduce insulin resistance, positively influence obesity-related indices, and improve overall quality of life in individuals with T2D. However, it is noteworthy that recent RCTs have reported inconsistent findings regarding the effects of Tai Chi on glycemic control and insulin resistance. The author also delves into potential mechanisms by which Tai Chi may exert its influence on the human body. Finally, the editorial highlights the critical issues that warrant further exploration in the future.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; Tai Chi; Exercise; Mind-body exercise; Chinese traditional exercise; Randomized controlled trial; Systematic review and meta-analysis

Core Tip: Exercise therapy plays a crucial role in the management of diabetes. Tai Chi offers a unique approach, serving not only as a moderate-intensity exercise but also as a mindfulness intervention that incorporates deep breathing and meditation. While prior systematic reviews have highlighted the favorable effects of Tai Chi on glycemic control and metabolic parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes, recent randomized controlled trials have yielded inconsistent findings. This suggests that Tai Chi holds potential as an addition to diabetes management, yet there remains an insufficiency of scientific evidence, particularly in terms of elucidating its biological mechanisms of action.