Frontiers in Oncology · Oct 30, 2026
Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Subgroup Analysis
By Cenhui Xu, Huaimeng Cui, Tongtong Hao
Objective: This study systematically reviewed the effects of Tai Chi on rehabilitation outcomes in breast cancer survivors and explored the potential influence of intervention dosage through subgroup analyses. Methods: Eight databases (CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to March 30, 2026, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Tai Chi in breast cancer survivors. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and R software with random-effects models. Mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated as appropriate. Subgroup analyses examined intervention duration, weekly frequency, and session length. Results: Twelve RCTs involving 1,036 participants were included (521 Tai Chi; 515 control). Tai Chi significantly improved shoulder range of motion (MD = 4.39, 95% CI: 0.92–7.85, P = 0.03) and overall shoulder function (MD = 11.38, 95% CI: 0.12–22.63, P = 0.05). It also significantly reduced physical fatigue (MD = −2.75, 95% CI: −2.96 to −2.53, P < 0.001) and showed potential benefits for emotional fatigue (MD = −1.35, 95% CI: −2.67 to −0.03, P = 0.05). No statistically significant effects were observed for shoulder pain, muscle strength, daily activity ability, or anxiety. Formal between-subgroup tests showed no significant effect modification by intervention duration, weekly frequency, or session length for anxiety or cancer-related fatigue. Several outcomes showed substantial heterogeneity, including total cancer-related fatigue (I² = 90%). Conclusion: Tai Chi may improve some rehabilitation outcomes in breast cancer survivors, particularly shoulder function and cancer-related fatigue. However, the limited evidence base and substantial heterogeneity reduce the certainty of these findings. Current evidence does not establish an optimal Tai Chi dosage, and its safety cannot be firmly determined because adverse events were not systematically reported.