Wei, 2012

RCT

52(22/30)

Patients with Type 2 diabetes

56.0 ± 7.2

T (26)

Routine drug treatment (26)

Six 60-minute Taiji softball sessions for 12 weeks

Primary outcomes (handgrip strength, p < 0.01; flexibility using sit-and-reach test, p < 0.01)

Secondary outcomes (p < 0.01; resting heart rate, p < 0.01; systolic and diastolic pressures, p < 0.05)

Additional outcomes (BMI, BMI, p < 0.01; pulmonary function index, p < 0.05; waist-to-hip ratio)

Xiao et al., 2015

RCT

32

Patients with Type 2 diabetes Mellitus

Mean age 65.5

T (16)

No intervention (16)

Three 60-to-120 minute Taiji softball sessions per week for three months

Primary outcomes (static and dynamic balance using Berg balance scale, p = 0.008 and Timed Up-and-Go, p = 0.02; Handgrip strength, p = 0.03;

flexibility using chair sit-and-reach, p = 0.009)

Secondary outcomes (Time Up-and-Go, p = 0.02; 6-minute walk test)

Additional outcome (right shoulder mobility using back scratch test, p = 0.046

Xiao, 2014

RCT

72 (unclear)

Healthy community dwellers

65.4 ± 6.9

T (36)

Other exercise program (36)

Three 60-to-120 minute Taiji softball sessions per week for 12 months

Primary outcomes (unipedal and tandem stance, p = 0.009; Time Up-and-Go, p = 0.03)

Yao, 2008

RCT

41 (41/0)

Healthy older adults

64.2 ± 3.58 (T)

65.4 ± 3.60 (C)

T (21)

C (20) no training

Five 60-minute Taiji softball sessions per week for 6 months

Primary outcome (Stork balance test, p < 0.05)

Zhang et al., 2012

NOT

19(19/0)

Patients with arteriosclerosis

57.4 ± 3.78 (T)

T (19)

Seven 30-minute Taiji softball sessions for 24 weeks

Primary outcomes (handgrip strength test, p < 0.05; sit-and-reach test for flexibility, p < 0.05; stock balance test, p < 0.05)

Additional outcomes (supine leg raise test for leg strength, p < 0.05; shoulder mobility using back scratch test, p < 0.05; hip flexibility, p < 0.05; agility T- test, p < 0.01)