The Safety of Baduanjin Exercise: A Systematic Review

Author: Jianqi Fang1, Liying Zhang2, Fangzhen Wu3, Jiajia Ye4, Shuhe Cai5,6, Xiaowen Lian4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China. <sup>2</sup> Department of Prevention and Health Care, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China. <sup>3</sup> Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Traditional Chinese Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China. <sup>4</sup> Department of Rehabilitation Assessment, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China. <sup>5</sup> Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China. <sup>6</sup> Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, 13 Hudong Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
Date published: 2021 Jan 21
Other: Volume ID: 2021 , Pages: 8867098 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2021/8867098. , Word Count: 251


Objectives:
Baduanjin exercise is a form of Qigong exercise therapy that has become increasingly popular worldwide. The aims of the current systematic review were to summarize reported adverse events potentially associated with Baduanjin exercise based on currently available literature and to evaluate the quality of the methods used to monitor adverse events in the trials assessed.

Methods:
The English databases PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMbase were searched from inception to October 2020 using the keywords "Baduanjin" or "eight session brocade." Only studies that included Baduanjin exercise therapy were included.

Results:
Forty-seven trials with a total of 3877 participants were included in this systematic review. Twenty-two studies reported protocols for monitoring adverse events, and two studies reported the occurrence of adverse events during training. The adverse events reported included palpitation, giddiness, knee pain, backache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, shoulder pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and muscle ache.

Conclusions:
Only two studies reported adverse events that were potentially caused by Baduanjin exercise. Adverse events related to Baduanjin exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may include muscle ache, palpitation, giddiness, knee pain, backache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, shoulder pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Further studies conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement guideline incorporating monitoring of adverse events are recommended. Additional clinical trials in which Baduanjin exercise is used as a main intervention are needed, and further meta-analysis may be required to assess its safety and reach more informed conclusions in this regard in the future.


PMID: 33552220 PMCID: PMC7847359 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8867098