The Effectiveness Of Neuromotor Exercise As An Antihypertensive Lifestyle Therapy: A Meta-Review

Aerobic and resistance exercise alone or combined are commonly recommended as antihypertensive lifestyle therapy. The effects of neuromotor exercise on blood pressure (BP) among adults with hypertension remain inconclusive. PURPOSE: This meta-review examined the BP benefits of neuromotor exercise as antihypertensive lifestyle therapy. METHODS: PubMed, APA PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to July 2024 for peer-reviewed, systematic reviews and meta-analyses (MA) of randomized control trials published in English. Eligible reviews involved neuromotor exercise interventions among healthy adults ≥18 yr with a resting BP ≥130 and/or 80 mmHg compared to a non-exercise/non-diet control. RESULTS: Qualifying MAs (k = 6) involved Tai Chi (k = 4), Qigong (k = 2), and Yoga (k = 1) interventions that included 13,195 men and women 18-81 yr, of which 9,083 had hypertension. Interventions lasted 6-52 wk and control groups included health education, routine care, waitlist, minimal intervention, or were unspecified. Tai Chi: Wu et al (n = 1,750) reported SBP reductions of 10 mmHg (95% CI -14.4 to -6.2) and DBP of 4 mmHg (95% CI -5.5 to -2.5, p < 0.001) vs control. Li et al (n = 3,864) reported SBP reductions of 12 mmHg and DBP of 6 mmHg vs control (ps <0.05). Guan et al (n = 1,461) reported SBP reductions of 7 mmHg (p = 0.005) and DBP of 1 mmHg (p < 0.0001). Briet et al (n = 503), reported SBP reductions of 9 mmHg (95% CI, -9.6 to -7.8) and DBP of 4 mmHg (95% CI, -5.7 to -3.1). Qigong: Li et al (n = 3,864 adults) reported SBP reductions of 10 mmHg and DBP of 6 mmHg (ps < 0.05). Xiong et al (n = 572 adults) reported SBP reductions of 13 mmHg (95% CI, -21.2 to -4.8) and DBP of 6 mmHg (95% CI: −11.2 to −1.1, p = 0.02) vs control. Yoga: Wu et al (n = 933 adults) reported SBP reductions of 9 mmHg (95% CI, -11.8 to -5.5) and DBP of 5 mmHg (95% CI, -6.5 to -3.1) vs control. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromotor exercise elicited SBP reductions up to 13 mmHg and DBP of up to 8 mmHg among adults with hypertension with Tai Chi being most widely reviewed. The magnitude of these BP reductions is comparable to or exceeds those elicited by aerobic and/or resistance exercise training, suggesting neuromotor exercise is another viable exercise option for adults with hypertension. Supported by: University of Connecticut Health and Fitness Research Laboratory