Tai chi and cognitive dysfunction: research overview

Not medical advice. This page lists research about tai chi and cognitive dysfunction. It does not say whether tai chi works for any person or condition. Talk to a qualified health professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have a medical condition.

Studies in PubMed: 86 (tagged with “Cognitive Dysfunction” as a major topic)
Years: 2014–2026
Registered trials: 37 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Types of studies

Publication type	Studies
Meta-Analysis	23
Systematic Review	10
Randomized Controlled Trial	30
Clinical Trial	1
Review	4
Comparative Study	1
Journal Article	17

Each study is counted once, under its strongest type in this order: meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, clinical trial, review, observational study.

Studies, newest first

Additional Effects of 1-Hz rTMS Combined With Tai Chi Chuan on Dual-Task Performance Among Older Adults With Sleep Disorders and MCI: An fNIRS-Based Randomized Controlled Trial. — Brain and behavior, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Assessment and Management of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment. — American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting, 2026 · DOIReview
Augmented reality-assisted Tai Chi for adults with diabetes-associated cognitive impairment: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. — BMJ open, 2026 · DOI
Dose- and modality-specific effects of exercise on BDNF and depression in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. — PloS one, 2026 · DOI
Effect of Tai Chi and transcranial direct current stimulation on spontaneous neural activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment: An exploratory resting-state fMRI study. — Complementary therapies in medicine, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of qigong on subjective cognitive function in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with Tai Chi on the physical, cognitive, emotional, sleep, and quality-of-life outcomes in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — Experimental gerontology, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
Fall Prevention Interventions for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. — Western journal of nursing research, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with Tai Chi improves working memory in older adults with sleep disorders and mild cognitive impairment: An fMRI-based randomized controlled trial. — International psychogeriatrics, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Summary of the evidence on TCM nonpharmacological interventions for cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease. — Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.), 2026 · DOIReview
Tai Chi modulating multimodal connectivity patterns and cognitive function in cerebral small vessel disease. — GeroScience, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
The effects of structured aerobic exercise and mind-body exercise on cognitive function in older adults with MCI: Systematic review and meta-analysis. — Medicine, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
The effects of traditional mind-body exercises on cognitive function in neurodegenerative diseases or prodromal cognitive decline: a meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
A Meta-Analysis of Studies of the Effect of Mind Body Exercise on Various Domains of Cognitive Function in Older People With or Without Mild Cognitive Impairment. — Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine, 2025 · DOIMeta-Analysis
Body-mind exercise for cancer-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: a network meta-analysis. — Breast cancer research and treatment, 2025 · DOI
Combined mind-body physical exercise, cognitive training, and nurse-led risk factor modification to enhance cognition among older adults with mild cognitive impairment in primary care: a three-arm randomised controlled trial. — The lancet. Healthy longevity, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Comparative effect of Tai Chi and aerobic exercise on cognitive function in advanced lung cancer survivors with perceived cognitive impairment: a three-arm randomized controlled trial with mediation analysis. — Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Comparative effectiveness of various nonpharmacological interventions, including traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment: a comprehensive network meta-analysis. — Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2025 · DOI
Effect of Dual-Task Training on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial. — Journal of medical Internet research, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Tai Chi combined with music therapy on the cognitive function in older adult individuals with mild cognitive impairment. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effect of eight-form Tai Chi combined with olfactory stimulation on working memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Physical Activity on Health Among Informal Caregivers of People With Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. — Western journal of nursing research, 2025 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on balance function in adults 60 years or older with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment in China: A secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized clinical trial. — Journal of diabetes investigation, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on cancer-related cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. — European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 2025 · DOISystematic Review
Lifestyle-based interventions targeting neurocognition in bipolar disorders - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. — Psychiatry research, 2025 · DOISystematic Review
Multi-domain Online Therapeutic Investigation Of Neurocognition (MOTION) - A randomized comparative-effectiveness study of two remotely delivered mind-body interventions for older adults with cognitive decline. — Contemporary clinical trials, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOISystematic Review
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Tai Chi Chuan for Older Adults With Sleep Disorders and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. — JAMA network open, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
The adjunctive efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with non-pharmacological interventions in cognitive disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials. — Asian journal of psychiatry, 2025 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
Two-year follow-up assessment of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the durability of Tai Chi on cognitive function in older adults with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. — Aging clinical and experimental research, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
A systematic review of the effect and mechanism of Daoyin therapy on improving mild cognitive impairment in older adults. — Ageing research reviews, 2024 · DOISystematic Review
Cognitively enhanced tai chi improved cognition vs. tai chi or stretching at 24 wk in older adults with MCI or memory concerns. — Annals of internal medicine, 2024 · DOI
Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Treating Headaches, Cognitive Dysfunction, Mental Fatigue, Insomnia, and Mood Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comprehensive Review. — Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America, 2024 · DOIReview
Effectiveness of Tai Chi as a non-invasive intervention for mild cognitive impairment in the elderly: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis. — Narra J, 2024 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
Effectiveness of Tai Chi on cognitive function among older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. — Aging & mental health, 2024 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
Effectiveness of traditional chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapy intervention on the cognitive function in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.), 2024 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
Effects of Tai Chi on physical performance, sleep, and quality of life in older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. — BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2024 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
Effects of tai chi based on information and communication technology for patients with mild cognitive impairment on cognitive and physical function: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2024 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
Efficacy of Nonpharmacological Interventions in Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis. — The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 2024 · DOISystematic Review
Multicomponent Intervention on Improving the Cognitive Ability of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. — Journal of gerontological social work, 2024 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial

46 more studies on PubMed

Registered clinical trials

Trial	Status	Phase	Enrollment	Start
Feasibility of A Smartphone Application Intervention in Community Settings: A Pretest-Posttest Pilot Study NCT07313540 · The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston	not yet recruiting	na	40	2026-10
Temporal Interference Stimulation Combined With Tai Chi for Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT07799584 · Shanghai University of Sport	recruiting	na	120	2026-08-25
Validation of Population Characteristics and Dosage Prescriptions for Cognitive Function Intervention Benefits of Different Doses of Tai Chi in Elderly Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Real-World Cross-Sectional Study NCT07608510 · Lidian Chen	not yet recruiting	—	150	2026-05-15
A Sitting Tai Chi Programme for Chronic Stroke Survivors With Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment NCT07512739 · Chinese University of Hong Kong	recruiting	na	176	2025-10-20
Evaluation of a PMT Rehabilitation Nursing Plan for the Older Adults With MCI to Promote Cognitive Health NCT07089654 · Jinzhou Medical University	completed	na	73	2025-10-20
Project Gnosis: the Neurophysical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes of Tai Chi for Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns or Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT06828926 · Ohio University	recruiting	na	50	2025-02-12
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Tai Chi for Dual-Task Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Decline NCT07863518 · Shanghai University of Sport	completed	na	61	2024-12-01
Efficacy of Different Doses of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT06375720 · Lidian Chen	unknown	na	350	2024-05-05
Effects of Tai Chi Chuan With Different Doses on Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT06372535 · Lidian Chen	unknown	na	540	2024-05-01
Occurrence and Influencing Factors of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients With Schizophrenia and NCT06949657 · Third People's Hospital, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China	terminated	na	78	2023-10-13
Dose-effect Relationship of Tai Chi on Health Promotion in Different Age Groups NCT06307483 · Beijing Sport University	completed	—	499	2023-08-25
A Study of Dual-task Exercise Training to Prevent Falls Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT05725668 · Oregon Research Institute	recruiting	na	336	2023-07-15
Tai Chi Versus Conventional Exercise to Improve Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT05540613 · The University of Hong Kong	recruiting	na	315	2022-11-01
Long Term Prospective Study of Tai Chi Intervention to Prevent MCI From Conversion to Dementia NCT05310890 · Ruijin Hospital	unknown	na	206	2022-09
TaiChi-DTx for Treating Long Covid Symptoms NCT05419219 · Tim Shi	unknown	na	200	2022-06-01
Multi-domain Online Therapeutic Investigation Of Neurocognition (MOTION) NCT05217849 · University of California, San Francisco	completed	na	77	2022-02-15
The Effect of Tai Chi and Therapy by Dance and Movement on Blood Irisin Levels in Older Adults Over 65 Years of Age. NCT05363228 · Charles University, Czech Republic	unknown	na	90	2021-08-01
The Influence of Tai Chi Practice on Blood Pressure and Brain Health Among Older Adults With Hypertension (ACTION) NCT04384263 · University of Connecticut	completed	na	19	2021-06-01
Virtual Exercise For Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT05318703 · Oregon Research Institute	completed	na	69	2021-01-20
Tai Chi Chuan as Rehabilitation Program for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients NCT04416841 · Jing Tao	completed	na	328	2020-06-03
The Effects of Multidomain Non-pharmacological Interventions on the Elderly With or Without Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT05483790 · Huashan Hospital	completed	na	120	2020-06-01
Tai Ji Quan and Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT04070703 · Oregon Research Institute	completed	na	318	2019-10-15
A Community Health Worker Program to Support Rural Older Adults NCT03843333 · University of Vermont	completed	na	39	2019-06-10
Temporal Relations and Exercise Interventions of Various Gait and Cognitive Domains in Older Adults NCT03839563 · Taipei Medical University	unknown	na	189	2019-02-15
Effectiveness of Tai Chi to Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment NCT04248400 · The University of Hong Kong	completed	na	37	2018-10-10

Government health information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes the evidence on tai chi.

Study list: PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), citation data only. Trials: ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Data: PubMed (NLM citation data, free to use (abstracts not reproduced)); ClinicalTrials.gov (Public domain (U.S. Government work)); NCCIH (Public domain (U.S. Government work)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.