Table 1 Aims and Study Designs of the Included Articles

 Li et al., 2018 [35]

United States

To investigate the efficacy of a self-administered acupressure treatment on older adults with knee osteoarthritis

8 weeks

3 visits to the centre in 8 weeks

- Acupressure was taught to the participants and applied once daily for 5 days in the study period

Weekly phone calls

None

 Itoh et al., 2006 [36]

Japan

To examine the effectiveness of real acupuncture to trigger points as a treatment for chronic low back pain

12 weeks

2 interventions in 3 weekly sessions, with a washout period of 3 weeks:

- Trigger point acupuncture

3 weeks

 White et al., 2012 [37]

United Kingdom

To examine if an enhanced nonspecific effect associated with needling is present, to determine the effects of the consultation process and the practitioner, to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture on severe osteoarthritis pain, and to improve interpretation of the quantitative study through a nested qualitative network

8 weeks

Intervention twice per week for 4 weeks, with 2 consultations and face-to-face open-ended narrative qualitative interviews as a follow-up assessment

4 to 8 weeks

 Baird, Murawski, & Wu, 2010 [38]

USA

To investigate the efficacy of guided imagery with relaxation (GIR) on symptom relief and medication use in osteoarthritis patients compared with a sham intervention of planned relaxation

16 weeks

12-min audiotape-guided GIR twice a day

None

 Weiner et al., 2007 [39]

USA

To evaluate the efficacy of PST in pain reduction and improved function in older adults with knee osteoarthritis, including those with advanced disease

6 weeks

30-min session once per week for PST

12 weeks

 Weiner et al., 2008 [44]

USA

To evaluate the effect of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) with and without general conditioning and aerobic exercise (GCAE) on decreasing pain and enhancing function in older adults with chronic low back pain

6 weeks

Twice per week

2 groups:

- PENS

- PENS and GCAE

24 weeks

 von Trott et al., 2009 [40]

Germany

To examine if qigong is more effective than no intervention (waiting list) and exercise therapy in older patients with chronic neck pain

12 weeks

24 sessions (45 min each), 2 sessions per week:

- Qigong

- Exercise therapy

24 weeks

 Yang et al., 2005 [41]

Korea

To evaluate the short-term and residual effects of Qi-therapy on chronic pain and mood in older adults

4 weeks

20 min per session, twice per week:

External Korean Qi-therapy

2 weeks

 Brismee et al., 2007 [42]

USA

To examine the effects of group and home video Tai Chi exercise intervention programmes

To evaluate the sustainability of the effects of Tai Chi on osteoarthritis after cessation of the exercise intervention

To incorporate measurements taken at intermediate time points to evaluate and compare them with the pre- and post-measurements in previous studies

To apply a standardized form of Tai Chi exercise that has been most widely used in published longitudinal Tai Chi studies for various health conditions

12 weeks

Tai Chi exercise programme (24-form simplified Yang-style Tai Chi), 6-week group Tai Chi, 3 40-min sessions per week, another 6-week home Tai Chi programme

6 weeks

 Fransen et al., 2007 [43]

Australia

To test whether hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes are accepted by patients with chronic symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hips or knees as physical activity options that can provide measurable improvements in joint pain and physical function

12 weeks

1-h class twice a week:

- Hydrotherapy programme

- Tai Chi: modification of 24 forms from the Sun style of Tai Chi

24 weeks