Global research trends and hotspots in the health effects of Tai Chi on older adults: a bibliometric analysis (2010–2025)

Introduction Tai Chi has potential benefits in promoting healthy aging, but a comprehensive understanding of its global research landscape, thematic evolution, and emerging trends remains limited. This study aims to use bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the knowledge structure, hotspot evolution, and collaborative networks of global research on Tai Chi and the health of the older adult(s) from 2010 to 2025, in order to explore future research hotspots and trends. Methods A bibliometric approach was employed to conduct a visualized analysis of 2,532 eligible publications retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were used to examine publication trends, collaborative patterns, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution. Results The number of publications increased from approximately 80 in 2010 to a peak of about 270 in 2025, indicating that the field has entered a phase of accelerated development. China (1,034 publications, 41%) and the United States (865 publications, 34%) constituted the dual core of global research output. Institutions such as Shanghai University of Sport (52 publications) and Harvard University (38 publications) formed key cross-regional collaborative networks. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified four major research clusters: balance and fall prevention (175 occurrences), quality of life (127 occurrences), depression (103 occurrences), and cognitive function. Burst keyword analysis revealed that the research frontier has shifted from “alternative medicine” toward “Parkinson’s disease” (burst strength = 3.66) and “network meta-analysis” (burst strength = 8.37). Conclusion Research on Tai Chi has been deeply integrated into the modern rehabilitation medicine system, with the research paradigm shifting from single functional outcome validation toward multidimensional health promotion and precision evidence-based approaches encompassing physical, psychological, and cognitive domains. This study supports the inclusion of Tai Chi as a low-cost, high-efficiency mind–body intervention model within global strategies for promoting healthy aging.