Global Trends in Tai Chi Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) January 4, 2026 Tzu-Yu Huang, Wei-Li Hsieh, Kai-Yuan Cheng et al. 1 citation
Tai Chi has become a widely used mind-body practice in complementary therapy, rehabilitation, and public health. An analysis of 2253 publications from 1978 to 2025 shows steady growth, concentrated in the past decade. China leads in publication output, while the United States has the highest number of citations, forming a dual-core pattern. The field is driven by a small group of authors and regional clusters, with limited visibility in mainstream medical journals. Five research themes emerged: motor function (balance and fall prevention), musculoskeletal conditions, chronic disease management, psychological health, and cognitive aging. Future progress requires greater methodological rigor, mechanistic inquiry, long-term studies, and stronger international collaboration.