Chair-based exercise
Chair-based exercise has been studied in 11 papers since 2019: 9 trials in people, 1 review; 4 in the past year. The newest paper, Aug 31, 2026: “Functional Balance Following Chair-Based Exercise Among Older Women in a Jakarta Social Care Institution”.
11 papers study it23 findingsUpdated
“showed significant improvements of the intervention group for hand grip strength (Pre: M = 12.67, SD = 5.28; Post: M = 13.86, SD = 4.79”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 9 independent labs in 6 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Chinese Universities Scientific Fund and 5 more
- Human trial9
Studies in people
See all 88 studies gave chair-based exercise to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves Berg Balance Scaledifference, 1.89 points; Z : 5.752; p 0.001
Trial44 peopleWomenolderfour weeks
Older adults
Gaster | Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, Aug 31, 2026
down: Decreases Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Indexfrom 10.23 to 5.43 (Z = -4.583, p < 0.001)
Trial30 people4 weeks
Older adults
Jurnal Keterapian Fisik, Apr 14, 2026
up: Improves knee osteoarthritis symptoms
up: Improves mobilitylarge treatment effects
up: Improves quality of life
Randomized trial40 people≥65 years8 weeks
Older adults; inactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis
Journal of aging and physical activity, Oct 30, 2025
up: Improves cognitive function
up: Improves lower extremity function
Randomized trial27 people65 and over8 weeks
Older adults; Within-group changes; telerehabilitation group also received cognitive training
Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, Sep 23, 2025
no change: Has no effect on physical function
no change: Has no effect on body weightAverage weight loss of 8.56 lbs among completers; not statistically significant
no change: Has no effect on Geriatric Depression Scale scoreInitial mean 1.2 versus final mean 0.8; not statistically significant
Trial23 people58–88 years6 months
Older adults; The oldest old; independently living senior citizens; handgrip strength and Tinetti Balance and gait scores assessed
South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association, Oct 1, 2022
What did studies of Chair-based exercise find?
21Studies of Chair-based exercise measured 21 outcomes; the most studied are cognitive function (2 studies), physical function (2) and Berg Balance Scale (1).
Cognitive function
upin humans2
2 studies
Cognitive function
upin humans2
Chair-based exercise improves cognitive function in humans Within-group changes; telerehabilitation group also received cognitive training.
“Chair-based exercises can increase cognitive functions and lower extremity functions in healthy older adults in both synchronous online telerehabilitation and brochure methods.”
Human trialWithin-group changes; telerehabilitation group also received cognitive trainingsynchronous online telerehabilitation or brochure2 days a week8 weeksn = 27
Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society
Chair-based exercise improves cognitive function in humans (nursing home residents who are unable to walk) (M 10.31 to 11.06; Group × Time F(1, 15) = 12.687, p = .001, ηp2 = 0.284).
“The multicomponent chair-based intervention over 16 weeks was able to improve motor functions and cognition in nursing home residents who are unable to walk.”
Human trialnursing home residents who are unable to walk16 weeksn = 52
Experimental gerontology
Physical function
no changein humans1upin humans1
2 studies
Physical function
no changein humans1upin humans1
Chair-based exercise showed no clear effect on physical function in humans.
“There were no statistically significant differences in any measurements over time.”
Human trialindependently living senior citizens; handgrip strength and Tinetti Balance and gait scores assessedchair-based exercise programtri-weekly6 monthsn = 23
South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association
Chair-based exercise improves physical function in humans (older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis).
“Both interventions improved physical function and mobility over time”
Human trialolder adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis
Holistic nursing practice
Berg Balance Scale
upin humans1
1 study
Berg Balance Scale
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves Berg Balance Scale in humans (difference, 1.89 points; Z : 5.752; p 0.001).
“Mean BBS scores increased from 37.27 - 2.46 to 39.16 - 2.93 (difference, 1.89 points).”
Human trialfour weeksfemalesn = 44
Gaster | Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
downin humans1
1 study
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
downin humans1
Chair-based exercise decreases Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in humans (from 10.23 to 5.43 (Z = -4.583, p < 0.001)).
“There was a significant decrease in PSQI scores after the intervention (Z= -4.583, p <0.001).”
Human trial4 weeksn = 30
Exercise-Based Intervention and Its Impact on Sleep Quality Among Older Adults
Jurnal Keterapian Fisik
Handgrip strength
no changein humans1
1 study
Handgrip strength
no changein humans1
Chair-based exercise showed no clear effect on handgrip strength in humans.
“However, there were no significant changes noted in activity of daily living, falls efficacy scales, handgrip strength, or static balance.”
Reviewn = 509
The effect of chair-based exercise on physical functioning in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis
BMC geriatrics
Dynamic balance
upin humans1
1 study
Dynamic balance
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves dynamic balance in humans (MD = -0.69, 95% CI [-1.32, -0.06]).
“dynamic balance (MD = -0.69, 95% CI [-1.32, -0.06], P = 0.03)”
Reviewn = 509
The effect of chair-based exercise on physical functioning in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis
BMC geriatrics
Upper body flexibility
upin humans1
1 study
Upper body flexibility
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves upper body flexibility in humans (MD = 6.25, 95% CI [3.52, 8.98]).
“upper body flexibility (MD = 6.25, 95% CI [3.52, 8.98], P < 0.001)”
Reviewn = 509
The effect of chair-based exercise on physical functioning in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis
BMC geriatrics
Upper limb muscle endurance
upin humans1
1 study
Upper limb muscle endurance
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves upper limb muscle endurance in humans (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI [0.45, 0.95]).
“Compared to the control group, the CBE group improved significantly in upper limb muscle endurance (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI [0.45, 0.95], P < 0.001)”
Reviewn = 509
The effect of chair-based exercise on physical functioning in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis
BMC geriatrics
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves quality of life in humans (inactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis).
“Nottingham Health Profile scores also improved significantly in the IG.”
Human trialinactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis8 weeksn = 40
Journal of aging and physical activity
Mobility
upin humans1
1 study
Mobility
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves mobility in humans (inactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis) (large treatment effects).
“dynamic balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go), with large treatment effects observed across all measures compared with the control group”
Human trialinactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis8 weeksn = 40
Journal of aging and physical activity
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms
upin humans1
1 study
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves knee osteoarthritis symptoms in humans (inactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis).
“the IG demonstrated statistically significant and clinically substantial improvements in pain, stiffness, and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis)”
Human trialinactive older adults with knee osteoarthritis8 weeksn = 40
Journal of aging and physical activity
Lower extremity function
upin humans1
1 study
Lower extremity function
upin humans1
Chair-based exercise improves lower extremity function in humans Within-group changes; telerehabilitation group also received cognitive training.
“Chair-based exercises can increase cognitive functions and lower extremity functions in healthy older adults in both synchronous online telerehabilitation and brochure methods.”
Human trialWithin-group changes; telerehabilitation group also received cognitive trainingsynchronous online telerehabilitation or brochure2 days a week8 weeksn = 27
Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society
Blood pressure
no changein humans1
1 study
Blood pressure
no changein humans1
Chair-based exercise showed no clear effect on blood pressure in humans (independently living senior citizens).
“There were no statistically significant differences in any measurements over time.”
Human trialindependently living senior citizenschair-based exercise programtri-weekly6 monthsn = 23
South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association
Geriatric Depression Scale score
no changein humans1
1 study
Geriatric Depression Scale score
no changein humans1
Chair-based exercise showed no clear effect on Geriatric Depression Scale score in humans (independently living senior citizens) (Initial mean 1.2 versus final mean 0.8; not statistically significant).
“There were no statistically significant differences in any measurements over time.”
Human trialindependently living senior citizenschair-based exercise programtri-weekly6 months
South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association
Body weight
no changein humans1
1 study
Body weight
no changein humans1
Chair-based exercise showed no clear effect on body weight in humans (participants with all three measurements) (Average weight loss of 8.56 lbs among completers; not statistically significant).
“There were no statistically significant differences in any measurements over time.”
Human trialparticipants with all three measurementschair-based exercise programtri-weekly6 monthsn = 5
South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association