Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
Objective To systematically evaluate the orthotic effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the improvement of walking in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the orthotic effect of FES on walking in stroke patients with foot drop were electronically searched in the databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2013), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from January 2000 to January 2013, and the relevant references of included papers were also manually searched. Two reviewers independently screened the trials according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodology quality. The meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 8 RCTs involving 255 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses on 4 RCTs showed that, compared with the conventional rehabilitation intervention, the functional electrical stimulation could significantly improve the walking speed, with significant difference (MD=0.09, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.18, P=0.04). The other indicators were only descriptively analyzed due to the incomplete data. Conclusions Functional electrical stimulation is effective in improving walking speed, but it is uncertain of other therapeutic indicators. So it should be further proved by conducting more high quality, large sample and multi-center RCTs.