Tai Chi, Qigong, Diabetes neuropathy, Diabetic complication, Systematic review, Meta-analysis, Miscellaneous systems and treatments, RZ409.7-999

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese exercises (TCE) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to recommend best practices for using TCE to improve neurological function, glycemic control, and psychological well-being. Methods: Nine databases were searched from the inception to October 2024. Effect relationships were assessed using meta-analysis with Stata 17, and the methodological quality and certainty of the evidence were evaluated using standard tools. Results: Twelve studies comprising three study designs (nine randomized controlled, one quasi-experimental controlled, and two single-arm clinical trials), were identified. Compared with usual care, TCE improved various indicators and enhanced the nerve conduction velocities of the peroneal motor (mean difference [MD] = 3.86 m/s, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38 to 7.34, P = .03), sural sensory (MD = 4.15 m/s, 95% CI: 0.68 to 7.63, P = .02), median motor (MD = 3.84 m/s, 95% CI: 2.14 to 5.54, P