Taichi training may improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
Key Takeaway:
A 24-week randomized trial in 48 adults with type 2 diabetes found that Taichi, with or without resistance band training, improved glycemic and pulmonary diffusion measures compared with usual lifestyle.
Study at a Glance
What was studied
Twenty-four weeks of Taichi with or without resistance band training in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
duration
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Intervention
Taichi training, Taichi plus resistance band training
Outcomes
Pulmonary diffusion capacity, HbA1c, Fasting glucose, Insulin sensitivity, Fasting insulin levels, Inflammatory markers
Funding
Non-Industry Sponsored
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Main Effects
↑ Pulmonary diffusion capacity after Taichi-based training
↓ HbA1c and fasting blood glucose after Taichi-based training
↑ Insulin sensitivity and endothelial markers with lower inflammatory markers
Evidence Summary
| Intervention | Outcome | Measured Change | Study Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Taichi plus resistance band training (Physical Activity) |  Fasting insulin levels (Metabolic Health) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi plus resistance band training (Physical Activity) |  HbA1c (Glycemic Control) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi plus resistance band training (Physical Activity) | Inflammatory markers (Metabolic Health) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi plus resistance band training (Physical Activity) | Insulin sensitivity (Metabolic Health) | Increase | Mixed |
Taichi plus resistance band training (Physical Activity) | Pulmonary diffusion capacity (Metabolic Health) | Increase | Mixed |
Taichi training (Physical Activity) | Fasting insulin levels (Metabolic Health) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi training (Physical Activity) | HbA1c (Glycemic Control) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi training (Physical Activity) | Inflammatory markers (Metabolic Health) | Decrease | Mixed |
Taichi training (Physical Activity) | Insulin sensitivity (Metabolic Health) | Increase | Mixed |
Taichi training (Physical Activity) | Pulmonary diffusion capacity (Metabolic Health) | Increase | Mixed |
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Evidence Suggest
- Forty-eight patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into Taichi, Taichi plus resistance band training, and control groups.
- Both active exercise groups reportedly improved DLCO and glycemic control markers, while controls maintained daily lifestyles and showed no reported changes.
- DLCO variation was strongly predicted by insulin sensitivity and selected endothelial and inflammatory markers in regression modeling.
Who this applies to
Adults with type 2 diabetes similar to the trial participants.
Keep in Mind
The evidence is from a small randomized trial, not a large multicenter study.
Between the Lines
- Small sample size of 48 participants.
- Provided excerpts lack detailed randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, dropout, and adherence information.
- Outcome excerpts report significance but not numeric group-level changes for most endpoints.
- No safety or adverse-event data were available in the provided excerpts.
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Journal Reference
Liu X, Zhu H, Peng Y, Liu Y, Shi X. Twenty-Four week Taichi training improves pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. PLoS One. 2024;19(4):e0299495. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0299495
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