Effects of Baduanjin exercise on the physical function of middle-aged and elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials


Author: Huiying Lin1,2, Mingyue Wan2, Yu Ye2, Guohua Zheng3

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> College of Nursing and Health Management, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China.

<sup>2</sup> College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shangjie University Town, Fuzhou, 350000, China.

<sup>3</sup> College of Nursing and Health Management, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China. zhenggh@sumhs.edu.cn.
Conference/Journal: BMC Complement Med Ther
Date published: 2023 Feb 6
Other:
 Volume ID: 23   ,  Issue ID: 1   ,  Pages: 38   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-03866-4.   ,  Word Count: 248  
    Background and purpose:

Chinese mind-body exercise-Baduanjin has received increasing attention for health promotion among middle-aged and older adults in China, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence on its effectiveness. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of Baduanjin on physical function in middle-aged and older adults.



Methods:

Seven electronic databases were searched for articles published before 22 June 2021 with the keywords Baduanjin exercise combined with physical-function-related outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed in the included studies, and data were analyzed using Review Manager software V5.3.



Results:

Fifteen articles, including 14 randomized controlled trials, were included in this study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that Baduanjin significantly improved muscle strength (grip strength: SMD = 0.63, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.04, p = 0.003), balance ability (timed up-and-go test score: MD = -2.21, 95% CI -3.91 to -0.51, p = 0.01; one-leg stand test score: MD = 3.75, 95% CI 1.96 to 5.55, p < 0.0001; Berg balance scale score: MD = 4.16, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.83, p < 0.00001; strengthening Romberg's test result: SMD = 1.02, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.86, p = 0.02); and cardiorespiratory fitness (diastolic blood pressure: MD = -3.62, 95% CI -3.95 to -3.30, p < 0.00001; resting heart rate: MD = -1.30, 95% CI -1.57 to -1.03, p < 0.00001; step test: MD = 4.25, 95% CI 0.76 to 7.74, p = 0.02). No adverse events were reported.



Conclusions:

Baduanjin exercise may be an effective intervention to improve physical function in the middle-aged and elderly population. However, more RCTs with larger sample sizes and more rigorous research designs are needed in the future to confirm the results.



Keywords: Baduanjin exercise; Meta-analysis; Physical function.



PMID: 36747221 PMCID: PMC9901146 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03866-4