Traditional Chinese exercise potential role as prevention and adjuvant therapy in patients with COVID-19.
Sha Yang, Tianyu Liu, Jing Xiong and 4 others
PMID 33839522WHAT IT FOUND
This review proposes traditional Chinese exercise as a possible prevention or adjuvant therapy for healthy people, mild or moderate cases, and convalescence.
It admits there is less direct medical evidence for preventing or treating COVID-19.
Key findings
01The paper proposes traditional Chinese exercise programs for healthy people, mild or moderate cases, and convalescence, based on existing evidence and expert consensus.
02The authors state there is less direct medical evidence for traditional Chinese exercise in preventing or treating COVID-19.
03The review describes traditional Chinese exercise as several practices, including Taiji, Wuqinxi, Liuzijue, Baduanjin and Yijinjing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review and proposed protocol, not a report of a patient study. The authors state there is less direct medical evidence for traditional Chinese exercise in preventing or treating COVID-19. The proposed protocol is based on existing studies and expert consensus, not on testing in patients with COVID-19. The review groups several exercises, including Taiji, Wuqinxi, Liuzijue, Baduanjin and Yijinjing, and does not show which component produced any effect.
Declared interests
The authors declare no competing interests. The paper is financially supported by the National Special Support Program For High-level Personnel Recruitment.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the proposed traditional Chinese exercise protocol as evidence that these exercises prevent or treat COVID-19. The paper itself says there is less direct medical evidence, and it does not test the exercises in patients.