Tai Chi for improving balance and reducing falls: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi for improving balance and reducing falls on people. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The following databases will be searched: China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Data, the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library from inception to March 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) utilized Tai Chi to improve balance ability and reduce falls will be included. Primary outcomes are the fall-related indicators, including the number of falls, fall rate, and other fall-related outcomes. Additional outcomes include the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), standing-walk test, single-legged time, or other balance-related outcomes. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager V5.3 software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations. Trial registration number PROSPERO CRD42019127810