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Is Tai Chi beneficial for multisite pain syndrome in older adults?

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Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent and undertreated in older adults. In particular, multisite pain is associated with serious functional consequences and falls and appears to be a novel geriatric syndrome. The causes of multisite pain are often multifactorial, and emerging evidence supports a complex pathway whereby multisite pain leads to cognitive problems, mobility decline, fear of falling, falls, and reduced participation in life roles. A few pharmacologic approaches are safe and effective for older adults with chronic multisite pain and evidence for effectiveness of non-pharmacologic treatments for this common condition is very limited. Compared to light physical exercise, mind–body exercise may prove to be more beneficial for older adults living with chronic pain. Tai Chi, as a movement-based mind–body exercise, can relieve pain symptoms, improve cognition and physical function, and lower risk for falls in older adults. However, little is known about the potential benefits of Tai Chi for older adults with multisite pain syndrome. Future large-scale randomized-controlled trials are needed to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in alleviating pain and lowering fall risk in older adults with multisite pain, and the biological mechanisms that underlie its potential benefits to chronic pain, physical and cognitive functions, and falls in this at-risk population.

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Funding

This work was supported by National Institute on Aging (R56AG062737 to Tongjian You and Suzanne G. Leveille), and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (K24AT009465 to Gloria Y. Yeh and K24AT009282 to Peter M. Wayne), National Institutes of Health, United States.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, Robert and Donna Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA

    Tongjian You

  2. Department of Nursing, Robert and Donna Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA

    Suzanne G. Leveille

  3. Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Gloria Y. Yeh

  4. Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Gloria Y. Yeh & Peter M. Wayne

  5. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Gloria Y. Yeh & Peter M. Wayne

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  1. Tongjian You
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  4. Peter M. Wayne
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Correspondence to Tongjian You.

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Peter Wayne is the founder and sole owner of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center. Peter Wayne's interests have been reviewed and managed by the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Partner's HealthCare in accordance with their policies on conflicts of interest. The authors declare no other conflicts of interest.

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You, T., Leveille, S.G., Yeh, G.Y. et al. Is Tai Chi beneficial for multisite pain syndrome in older adults?. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 1443–1448 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02439-2

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