JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mounting evidence demonstrates that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) can improve physical functions, promote physical activity, and positively impact health and longevity. However, systematic learning is hindered by insufficient teaching resources, difficulties in imparting expertise, and learning environment constraints. TCC auxiliary training systems, an innovative means of human-computer interaction, provide a potential solution.

Objective:

The objective is to summarize the current literature on the application, research trends, and clinical efficacy of the TCC auxiliary training system and provide recommendations for further investigations in this research field.

Methods:

The protocol follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Literature was retrieved from five databases: PubMed, Scopus, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect. The systematic literature search yielded 2993 records, 34 of which were considered relevant. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and used an adapted version of the Santos evaluation criteria to evaluate the quality of the included studies. These studies will qualitatively summarize system design and evaluation verification.

Results:

Eleven of the 34 studies were considered high quality. Desktop-based applications dominate the TCC auxiliary training system environment, comprising 38% (13/34) of the selected articles. The hardware and software components of TCC auxiliary training systems vary depending on the development objectives. Regarding system design, the majority (76%, 26/34) addressed all groups, with only a minority focusing on specific populations. Interaction design in TCC auxiliary training commonly incorporates human-computer interaction technologies, such as tactile, action, visual, speech, and multimode interaction. Clinical validation is necessary to implement this system in clinical practice. Most reviewed studies were validated; six underwent acceptability validation, twenty-one underwent feasibility validation, and only two based on virtual reality underwent clinical efficacy validation, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving cognitive abilities and motor functions in older adults.

Conclusions:

TCC auxiliary training system development is a rapidly growing research field. Over the past decade, research has predominantly focused on system development. Future system development should be more flexible and lightweight, and artificial intelligence should be incorporated to promote remote rehabilitation management and human‒machine collaboration. Overall, the current evidence concerning the clinical efficacy of TCC auxiliary training systems is limited. Future well-designed, large-scale RCTs are warranted to explore the long-term clinical efficacy of TCC auxiliary training systems and allow for more solid and nuanced conclusions. Clinical Trial: The methodology for this review was pre-determined and registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42024539375).