Traditional Chinese exercises significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (MD 4.58) and reduced NT-proBNP compared to control in patients with myocardial infarction.
Meta-Analysis (n=1,890)
Does traditional Chinese exercise improve cardiopulmonary function, physical function, quality of life, and reduce MACEs in patients with myocardial infarction?
Traditional Chinese exercises such as Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin significantly improve cardiopulmonary function, physical endurance, and quality of life in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.
Mean Difference: 4.58 (95% CI 3.28–5.88)
p-value: p=<0.00001
Objective Traditional Chinese exercises (TCE) are excellent cardiac rehabilitation (CR) training that can effectively improve cardiorespiratory fitness. However, there is no published meta-analysis of TCE on CR in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation from multiple perspectives. Methods This meta-analysis is based on the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews. Eight databases were searched from the date of database construction to March 15, 2023. Two investigators independently screened the literature and assessed their quality. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan5.4 software. Results A total of 21 articles involving 1,890 patients were included. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the TCE group were lower than the control group (MD = −96.34, 95%CI: −140.69 ∼−51.98, P 0.00001, I 2 = 96%), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the TCE group was higher than the control group (MD = 4.58, 95%CI: 3.28–5.88, P 0.00001, I 2 = 79%), the left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVDD) in TCE group was lower than the control group (MD = −3.83, 95%CI: −5.27 ∼−2.38, P 0.00001, I 2 = 94%), the left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) in TCE group was lower than the control group (MD = −2.17, 95%CI: −4.10 ∼−0.24, P 0.00001, I 2 = 96%), The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in the TCE group was higher than the control group (MD = 69.60, 95%CI: 34.59–104.60, P 0.00001, I 2 = 99%), the oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) in the TCE group was higher than the control group (MD = 4.38, 95%CI: 2.25–6.51, P 0.00001, I 2 = 94%), the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) in the TCE group was higher than the control group (MD = 13.34, 95%CI: 9.25–17.42, P = 0.008, I 2 = 75%), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) in the TCE group was lower than the control group (MD = −4.34, 95%CI: −5.18 ∼−3.50, P = 1.00, I 2 = 0%), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) in the TCE group was lower than the control group (MD = −3.48, 95%CI: −5.35 ∼−1.61, P = 0.0002, I 2 = 88%), the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in the TCE group was lower than the control group (RR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.20–0.47, P = 0.52, I 2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis revealed differences in TCE types could be a potential source of heterogeneity. Conclusion MI patients who used TCE have not only notable improvements in cardiopulmonary function, physical function, quality of life, and emotions but also reduced the incidence of MACEs. Tai Chi might be more efficient than Ba Duan Jin. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023408675.
Zhang et al. (Mon,) conducted a meta-analysis in Myocardial infarction (n=1,890). Traditional Chinese exercises vs. Conventional treatment or other exercises was evaluated on Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (MD 4.58, 95% CI 3.28-5.88, p=<0.00001). Traditional Chinese exercises significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (MD 4.58) and reduced NT-proBNP compared to control in patients with myocardial infarction.