Primary prevention for risk factors of ischemic stroke with Baduanjin exercise intervention in the community elder population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial


Author: Guohua Zheng1†, Bai Chen2†, Qianying Fang2†, Hongmei Yi3, Qiu Lin3, Lidian Chen4*, Jing Tao2, Junzhe Li2, Xin Zheng2, Moyi Li2 and Xiulu Lan2

Affiliation: * Corresponding author:	 Lidian Chen lidianchen87@163.com  † Equal contributors Author Affiliations 1 Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China  2 Rehabilitation Medicine College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China  3 Department of Physical Education, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China  4 Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
Conference/Journal: Trials
Date published: 2014
Other:
 Volume ID: 15   ,  Pages: 113   ,  Special Notes: doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-113   ,  Word Count: 281  
    Abstract

Background

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the world, and the prevalence of stroke tends to increase with age. Despite advances in acute care and secondary preventive strategies, primary prevention should play the most significant role in the reduction of the burden of stroke. As an important component of traditional Chinese Qigong, Baduanjin exercise is a simple, safe exercise, especially suitable for older adults. However, current evidence is insufficient to inform the use of Baduanjin exercise in the prevention of stroke.



The aim of this trail is to systematically evaluate the prevention effect of Baduanjin exercise on ischemic stroke in the community elder population with high risk factors.



Methods

A total of 170 eligible participants from the community elder population will be randomly allocated into the Baduanjin exercise group and usual physical activity control group in a 1:1 ratio. Besides usual physical activity, participants in the Baduanjin exercise group will accept a 12-week Baduanjin exercise training with a frequency of five days a week and 40 minutes a day. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, 13 weeks (at end of intervention) and 25 weeks (after additional 12-week follow-up period).



Discussion

This study will be the randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise for primary prevention of stroke in community elder population with high risk factors of stroke. The results of this trial will help to establish the optimal approach for primary prevention of stroke.



Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003588.



Registration date: 24 July, 2013.



Keywords: Baduanjin exercise; Ischemic stroke; Community elder population; Randomized controlled trial



The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/15/1/113