Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Qigong and tai chi improve diabetes management in older adults
Last updated July 18, 2026
Key finding
There were no significant effects of interventions on FPG value (p = 0.107).
This study evaluated the effects of qigong and tai chi on middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Tai chi significantly increased HbA1C levels and reduced C-Peptide levels compared to the control group.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the effects of qigong and tai chi on middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Tai chi significantly increased HbA1C levels and reduced C-Peptide levels compared to the control group.
Clinical relevance
Understanding the effects of physical activity interventions like tai chi is crucial for managing T2DM in older adults. The observed increase in HbA1C levels raises concerns about the potential impact of tai chi on blood sugar control, highlighting the need for careful consideration of exercise types in diabetes management.
Keep in mind
Unclear effectiveness of interventions due to mixed outcomes. Limited generalizability to broader populations. Potential confounding factors not measured.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Xiaoyuan L, Hongyu S, Yamin C, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of qigong and tai chi intervention in middle-aged and older adults with T2DM. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12):e0243989. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243989
Main Effects
No significant change in fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.107).
Tai chi group showed a significant increase in HbA1C levels (0.5%, p = 0.003).
Tai chi participants had a significant reduction in C-Peptide levels (-0.5 ng/mL, p = 0.004).
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Fitness Qigong and C-peptide, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Fitness Qigong
Primary outcomes
- C-peptide
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
- HbA1c
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
3
Evidence pairs
3
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence
Editorial context
Why this study matters
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 64
2
Related topics
3
Evidence pairs
555
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 3 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics
Topic contributions
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
Glycemic Control
matched_outcome
Related evidence
Evidence topic
HbA1c Reduction
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Fitness Qigong → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Fitness Qigong → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- Tai chi increased HbA1C levels significantly (0.5%, p = 0.003).
- C-Peptide levels decreased significantly in the tai chi group (-0.5 ng/mL, p = 0.004).
- No significant changes in fasting plasma glucose were observed (p = 0.107).
Who this applies to
- Middle-aged adults aged 45-65 years.
- Older adults aged 65 years and above with T2DM.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to younger populations or those without diabetes.
- Further research is needed to clarify the impact of tai chi on diabetes management.
- The study did not account for all potential confounding variables.
Between the Lines
- Unclear effectiveness of interventions due to mixed outcomes.
- Limited generalizability to broader populations.
- Potential confounding factors not measured.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
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Connected Evidence
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Fitness Qigong and C-peptide, Fitness Qigong and Fasting Glucose.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Physical Activity
Fitness Qigong → C-peptide
Physical Activity
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
View evidencePhysical Activity
Fitness Qigong → Fasting Glucose
Physical Activity
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
C-peptide Evidence Hub
All studies measuring C-peptide
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures C-peptide as a key outcome.
Fasting Glucose Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Fasting Glucose
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Fasting Glucose as a key outcome.
Fitness Qigong Evidence Hub
All studies on Fitness Qigong
1 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Fitness Qigong evidence base.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Fitness Qigong and C-peptide
Intervention: Fitness QigongOutcome: C-peptide
1 results
All studies on Fitness Qigong and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Intervention: Fitness QigongOutcome: Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
1 results
All studies on Fitness Qigong
Intervention: Fitness Qigong
1 results
All studies measuring C-peptide
Outcome: C-peptide
1 results
All studies measuring Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Outcome: Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
1 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does Fitness Qigong improve c-peptide?
Emerging Evidence
Fitness Qigong appears to improve C-peptide.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
C-peptide
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
- Consistency cannot yet be determined.
- Population details are unavailable.
Does Fitness Qigong improve HbA1c?
Emerging Evidence
Fitness Qigong appears to improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
- Consistency cannot yet be determined.
- Population details are unavailable.
Does Fitness Qigong improve fasting plasma glucose (fpg)?
Emerging Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Fitness Qigong for Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
- Consistency cannot yet be determined.
- Population details are unavailable.
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