PMC full text:
Published online 2018 Oct 15. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020222
Table 4
Comparator | Quality | Population size | Complementary medicine | Safety | Cost-effectiveness |
Placebo | Good | Large | Acupuncture92 94* | Some evidence of harm91 92† | NR |
Usual care | Moderate | Small | Tai chi99‡ | Some evidence of safety98–100§ | NR |
*Compared to pulsed electromagnetic fields, muscle-strengthening or aerobic exercise, weight loss.
†Up to 45% frequency of minor adverse events.
‡Only in the short term.
§Systematic reviews (SRs) concluded tai chi is safe.
NR, not reported (by SRs).