Author Identifier (ORCID)
Weiting Liu: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6936-8872
Abstract
Objectives: Tai Chi, a form of complementary intervention emphasizing breathing and mind-body connection, is increasingly recognized for its potential in pain management. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain management in adults. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, WoS, CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Databases, CENTRAL, and WHO ICTRP were searched from database inception through May 2025, with an additional supplementary search conducted in January 2026. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Tai Chi with other interventions for chronic musculoskeletal pain management. The primary outcome was the efficacy of Tai Chi, and secondary outcomes were adverse events associated with Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Data extraction and synthesis: Two independent authors screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, presenting results with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and Standard Mean Difference (SMD). The certainty of evidence for primary outcomes was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criterion approach. Results: Thirty-eight RCTs were included in this review. Compared to control groups, Tai Chi was associated with reduced pain in osteoarthritis [SMD = −0.37, 95% CI (−0.57, −0.16)], low back pain [SMD = −1.43, 95% CI (−2.07, −0.80)], fibromyalgia [SMD = −0.96, 95% CI (−1.96, 0.04)], and other disease [SMD = −1.04, 95% CI (−2.14, 0.06)]. Most interventions lasted 12 weeks, and Yang-style Tai Chi and 24-form Tai Chi were most frequently studied. No serious Tai Chi–related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Tai Chi appears to be associated with pain reduction in osteoarthritis and low back pain, while effects in fibromyalgia and other musculoskeletal conditions were non-significant, and no serious adverse events were reported in the included trials. The certainty of evidence is limited by methodological limitations and risk of bias; therefore, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023426431, Identifier CRD42023426431.
Keywords
Chronic musculoskeletal pain, efficacy, safety, systematic review, Tai Chi
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
7
Publication Title
Frontiers in Pain Research
Publisher
Frontiers
School
JBI Affiliated Centre for Evidence Informed Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care Practice / School of Nursing and Midwifery / Research Centre of Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease
Funders
Technology Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shandong Province (M20245101) / Science and Technology Innovation Development Project of Tai'an (2023NS411)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Chen, S., Liu, W., Fu, Q., Huang, M., Lin, W., Ding, Y., & Li, M. (2026). Efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pain Research, 7, 1678660. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2026.1678660