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Meta-Analysis
. 2018 Apr 17:13:1239-1250.
doi: 10.2147/COPD.S159042. eCollection 2018.

Effectiveness of meditative movement on COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lu-Ling Wu  1 , Zheng-Kun Lin  2 , Hui-Dan Weng  3 , Qiao-Fang Qi  1 , Jun Lu  4 , Kai-Xiong Liu  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effectiveness of meditative movement on COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lu-Ling Wu et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of meditative movement (tai chi, yoga, and qigong) on COPD remained unclear. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of meditative movement on COPD patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials for relevant studies. The methods of standard meta-analysis were utilized for identifying relevant researches (until August 2017), quality appraisal, and synthesis. The primary outcomes were the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), lung function, and dyspnea levels.

Results: Sixteen studies involving 1,176 COPD patients were included. When comparing with the control group, the 6MWD was significantly enhanced in the treatment group (3 months: mean difference [MD]=25.40 m, 95% CI: 16.25 to 34.54; 6 months: MD=35.75 m, 95% CI: 22.23 to 49.27), as well as functions on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (3 months: MD=0.1L, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.18; 6 months: MD=0.18L, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.26), and FEV1 % predicted (3 months: 4L, 95% CI: 2.7 to 5.31; 6 months: MD=4.8L, 95% CI: 2.56 to 7.07). Quality of life for the group doing meditative movement was better than the control group based on the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire dyspnea score (MD=0.9 units, 95% CI: 0.51 to 1.29) and fatigue score (MD=0.75 units, 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.09) and the total score (MD=1.92 units, 95% CI: 0.54 to 3.31).

Conclusion: Meditative movement may have the potential to enhance lung function and physical activity in COPD patients. More large-scale, well-designed, multicenter, randomized controlled trials should be launched to evaluate the long-range effects of meditative movement.

Keywords: COPD; meditative movement; meta-analysis; qigong; tai chi; yoga.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias summary.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus nonexercise, outcome: 6-minute walk test. (B) Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus walking exercise, outcome: 6-minute walk test.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus nonexercise, outcome: forced expiratory volume in 1 s. (B) Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus walking exercise, outcome: forced expiratory volume in 1 s.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus nonexercise, outcome: FEV1 percent predicted normal values. Abbreviation: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus nonexercise, outcome: CRQ, 3-month. Abbreviation: CRQ, Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Forest plot of comparison: meditative movement versus walking exercise, outcome: CRQ, 6-month. Abbreviation: CRQ, Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire.
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