Ai chi
Ai chi has been studied in 5 papers since 2016: 3 trials in people, 2 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 30, 2026: “Effectiveness of aquatic Tai Chi on balance indicators: a systematic review”.
5 papers study it9 findingsUpdated
“There were no significant differences found in balance measures, balance confidence, or pain levels for community-dwelling older adults between the Ai Chi and IBAT programs.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funder: Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology
- Human trial3
Studies in people
2 studies gave ai chi to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves balance
down: Decreases cerebellar activation0.42(0.51) to 0.19(0.41)
Trial19 people65-86 years (M = 74.7 ± 6.58)12 weeks
International journal of environmental research and public health, Dec 3, 2021
no change: Has no effect on balance
no change: Has no effect on balance confidence
no change: Has no effect on pain
Trial32 people65 to 85 yearsFollow-up through 6 months postdischarge
Older adults
Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001), Aug 5, 2016
What did studies of Ai chi find?
6Studies of Ai chi measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are balance (3 studies), Timed Up and Go test (1) and cerebellar activation (1).
Balance
upin humans2no changein humans1
3 studies
Balance
upin humans2no changein humans1
Ai chi improves balance in humans.
“All studies showed an improvement in balance in the Ai Chi groups compared with controls.”
Reviewwith balance disorders or at risk of falling2 to 12 weeksn = 213
Effectiveness of aquatic Tai Chi on balance indicators: a systematic review
Frontiers in public health
Ai chi improves balance in humans.
“Bonferroni post-hoc analyses indicated that the Ai-Chi group achieved a better improvement in the balance score over time than the on-land Ai-Chi and guided imagery of Ai-Chi groups.”
Human trial12 weeksn = 19
International journal of environmental research and public health
Ai chi improves balance in humans (t = -4.8, p < 0.01).
“The Ai-Chi practice group presented a significant change in balance between pre and post intervention (balance t = -4.8, p < 0.01).”
Human trial12 weeksn = 6
International journal of environmental research and public health
Ai chi has no effect on balance in humans.
“There were no significant differences found in balance measures, balance confidence, or pain levels for community-dwelling older adults between the Ai Chi and IBAT programs.”
Human trialCompared with impairment-based aquatic therapy in community-dwelling older adults with balance deficitsn = 32
Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)
Timed Up and Go test
downin humans1
1 study
Timed Up and Go test
downin humans1
Ai chi decreases Timed Up and Go test in humans.
“A significant improvement in static and dynamic balance (shortening of TUG time) was observed in the Ai Chi groups.”
Reviewwith balance disorders or at risk of falling2 to 12 weeks
Effectiveness of aquatic Tai Chi on balance indicators: a systematic review
Frontiers in public health
Cerebellar activation
downin humans1
1 study
Cerebellar activation
downin humans1
Ai chi decreases cerebellar activation in humans (0.42(0.51) to 0.19(0.41)).
“Nonetheless, in the high working memory load, the Ai-Chi group presented a decrease in cerebellar activation located in the left cerebellum_6 (based on the AAL atlas).”
Human trialduring high working memory load task12 weeksn = 6
International journal of environmental research and public health
Cerebellar activation
downin humans1
1 study
Cerebellar activation
downin humans1
Ai chi decreases cerebellar activation in humans (t = 2.77, p < 0.05).
“during high working memory load task, the Ai-Chi practice group presented a decrease in left cerebellar activation.”
Human trial12 weeksn = 6
International journal of environmental research and public health
Pain
no changein humans1
1 study
Pain
no changein humans1
Ai chi has no effect on pain in humans.
“There were no significant differences found in balance measures, balance confidence, or pain levels for community-dwelling older adults between the Ai Chi and IBAT programs.”
Human trialCompared with impairment-based aquatic therapy in community-dwelling older adults with balance deficitsn = 32
Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)
Balance confidence
no changein humans1
1 study
Balance confidence
no changein humans1
Ai chi has no effect on balance confidence in humans.
“There were no significant differences found in balance measures, balance confidence, or pain levels for community-dwelling older adults between the Ai Chi and IBAT programs.”
Human trialCompared with impairment-based aquatic therapy in community-dwelling older adults with balance deficitsn = 32
Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)