Review Article

Traditional Chinese Mind and Body Exercises for Neck Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 2

Characteristics of the included studies.

Study yearType of participant characteristicsIntervention methods I/CFrequency, follow-up time I/COutcomes
StudySample sizeAge, meanSex

Lansinger et al. (2007)RCTT = 122, I = 60, C = 62I = 44.9 ± 12.3, C = 42.8 ± 1.4F = 86, M = 36Qigong vs. exercise therapy1 or 2 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session, 3 monthsVAS, NDI, ROM
von Trott et al. (2009)RCTT = 77, I = 38, C = 39I = 75.9 ± 7.6, C = 76.0 ± 7.2F = 95%, M = 5%Qigong vs. exercise therapy2 sessions/week, 45 minutes/session, 3 monthsVAS, NPDS, SF-36
Rendant et al. (2011)RCTT = 81, I = 42, C = 39I = 44.7 ± 10.8, C = 44.4 ± 10.9I:F = 85%, M = 14%, C:F = 89.7%, M = 10.3%Qigong vs. exercise therapy1 session/week, 90 minutes/session, 3 monthsVAS, NPDS, GSE, SF-36
Lansinger et al. (2013)RCTT = 122, I = 60, C = 62I = 44.9 ± 12.3, C = 42.8 ± 1.4F = 70%, M = 30%Qigong vs. exercise therapy10–12 sessions/week or biweekly, 60 minutes/session, 3 monthsSF-36
Hu et al. (2014)RCTT = 250, I = 125, C = 125I = 44.55 ± 12.42, C = 45.02 ± 12.2, 1F = 138, M = 11212-words-for-life-nurturing exercise vs. no treatment1 session/week, approximately 40 minutes/session, 3 monthsVAS, NDI, SF-36
Lauche et al. (2016)RCTT = 75, I = 38, C = 37I = 52.0 ± 10.9, C = 47.0 ± 12.3F = 91, M = 23Tai chi vs. neck exercise1 session/week, 75–90 minutes/session, 3 monthsVAS, POM, NDI, SF-36

Abbreviations: RCT: randomized controlled trial; I/C: intervention/control group; T: total number of participants; VAS: visual analogue scale; NDI: neck disability index; NPDS: neck pain and disability scale; SF-36: 36-item short-form health survey; ROM: range of motion; GSE: general self-efficacy scale; POM: pain on movement.