Network Meta-Analysis of the Antihypertensive Effect of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Patients with Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND: In recent years, traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) have been gradually used to reduce the blood pressure levels of patients with essential hypertension. However, there are several types of TCEs, and there is no comparative study on the antihypertensive effects of various TCEs in patients with essential hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to compare the therapeutic effects of Taijiquan (TJQ), Baduanjin (BDJ), Wuqinxi (WQX), and Yijinjing (YJJ) on essential hypertension and provide a reference for clinical treatment and scheme optimization. METHODS: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, China Scientific Journal Database, China Biology Medicine database (CBM), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched to collect all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCEs in the treatment of essential hypertension. The search time was from the establishment of each database to November 2021. After data extraction and quality evaluation, the network meta-analysis was performed with Stata 16.0 and ADDIS 1.16.8. RESULTS: Finally, 45 RCTs involving 3864 patients were included. Network meta-analysis showed that YJJ had the best effect in reducing systolic blood pressure, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = −14.27, 95% CI = (−20.53∼−8.08), P < 0.05]. The best probability ranking was YJJ (P=0.736) > TJQ (P=0.203) > WQX (P=0.059) > BDJ (P=0.002). In terms of reducing diastolic blood pressure, the treatment effect of YJJ was the best, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = −7.77, 95% CI (−12.19∼−3.33), P < 0.05]. The best probability ranking was YJJ (P=0.702) > TJQ (P=0.178) > WQX (P=0.095) > BDJ (P=0.025). CONCLUSION: The results showed that TCEs significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with the control group, and YJJ might be the best choice. However, a larger sample, multicenter, double-blinded, high-quality RCTs are needed to make clear conclusions.