• Aline Mizusaki Imoto, Fábio Ferreira Amorim, Henderson Palma, Império Lombardi Júnior, Ana Lúcia Salomon, Maria Stella Peccin, Helbert Eustáquio Cardoso da Silva, Eduardo Signorini Bicas Franco, Leila Göttems, and Levy Aniceto Santana.
• PhD. Physiotherapist and Professor, Professional and Academic Master's Program, Laboratory for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Escola Superior em Ciências da Saúde (ESCS), Brasília (DF), Brazil.
• Sao Paulo Med J. 2021 Mar 1; 139 (2): 91-97.

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with higher prevalence among women aged between 30 and 50 years and general prevalence of 1% worldwide. Interventions promoting improvement of quality of life for individuals with RA are required. Tai Chi appears to be a low-cost alternative, with studies showing positive results from this technique. However, regarding aspects of RA such as pain and sensitivity, studies remain inconclusive.ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of the Tai Chi method for treating patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, among systematic reviews.Design And SettingOverview of systematic reviews with Cochrane and non-Cochrane methodology.MethodsSystematic reviews involving quasi-randomized and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on use of Tai Chi, with no restrictions regarding the date and language of publication, were included.ResultsThree systematic reviews were included. The effects of Tai Chi associated with education and stretching exercises versus education and stretching were evaluated in these reviews. They showed that improvements in the variables of mood, depression and functional index were associated with use of Tai Chi.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that clinical improvement was achieved, although not statistically significant with regard to pain and disease pattern, as assessed using the ACR20 measurement. Improvements relating to disability and quality of life were also seen. There was a low level of evidence and therefore caution in data analysis is recommended. The three studies included showed poor reliability for providing an accurate and complete summary of use of Tai Chi among people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.ProsperoCRD42019125501.

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