Work

Understanding people's experiences of practising Tai Chi for health and wellbeing: a protocol for a qualitative systematic review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background: Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body practice that is widely used for health promotion, rehabilitation, symptom management, and overall wellbeing. Although numerous systematic reviews have demonstrated its potential effectiveness across a range of physical and psychological outcomes, quantitative evidence alone cannot explain how individuals experience Tai Chi, why they initiate or sustain practice, or how the practice is integrated into everyday life. Existing qualitative studies have provided valuable insights into participants' experiences; however, these findings remain dispersed across different populations, health conditions, and practice settings. To date, no qualitative evidence synthesis has comprehensively integrated people's experiences of practising Tai Chi across health-related contexts. Methods: This review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative evidence synthesis using the meta-aggregation approach. A comprehensive search will be undertaken in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, Scopus, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global from database inception to the final search date. Qualitative studies exploring people's experiences of practising Tai Chi for health and wellbeing will be eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers will undertake study selection, methodological quality appraisal, and data extraction. Methodological quality will be assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research, and confidence in the synthesised findings will be evaluated using the ConQual approach. Discussion: This review will provide the first comprehensive qualitative evidence synthesis of people's experiences of practising Tai Chi across diverse populations and health-related contexts. The review is expected to generate evidence that informs the person-centred design, implementation, and future evaluation of Tai Chi programmes, while identifying priorities for future research. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO CRD420261473258.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1962809