Effects of Mind-Body Exercise on Body Constitution and Circadian Rhythm in People with Suboptimal Health Status

Author: Yen-Ying Kung1,2, Yuh-Chiang Shen3, Jia-Yi Li4, Yao-Kai Kao5,6, Terry B J Kuo2,5,7, Cheryl C H Yang5,7,8,9
Affiliation:
1 Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
2 Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
3 National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
4 Department of Health and Leisure Management, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC.
5 Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
6 You Dong Chinese Medicine Clinic, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
7 Clinical Research Center, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
8 Sleep Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
9 Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Conference/Journal: J Chin Med Assoc
Date published: 2023 Oct 27
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000001014. , Word Count: 250


Background:
Suboptimal health status (SHS) is a dynamic state in which people have not been diagnosed with a disease but tend to develop diseases. People with SHS are more prone to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Suitable interventions in people with SHS can prevent disease development. SHS is correlated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based constitutions, including Yang-Xu (yang deficiency), Yin-Xu (yin deficiency), and stasis types. The circadian rhythm is a potential biomarker of health and metabolism. Baduanjin exercise, a kind of mind-body exercise, has been regarded to adjust body constitution and metabolism, but few studies have evaluated the effects of Baduanjin exercise on body constitution and circadian rhythms. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Baduanjin exercise on body constitution and circadian rhythms in people with SHS.

Methods:
Seventy-six participants with SHS were divided into the Baduanjin exercise and control groups (watching a Baduanjin video), with the interventions lasting 12 weeks. The Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ), Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25), and actigraphy for circadian rhythm measurement were conducted.

Results:
The scores of SHSQ-25, Yang-Xu, Yin-Xu, and BCQ stasis decreased significantly after 12 weeks in the Baduanjin exercise group, but not in the control group. Interdaily stability of the circadian rhythm increased significantly in the Baduanjin exercise group but not in the control group.

Conclusion:
This is the first report of improved health status, modulated body constitution and increased interdaily stability of the circadian rhythm in participants with SHS who practiced Baduanjin exercise.


PMID: 37889578 DOI: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000001014

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