Baduanjin Group Research Articles

HUMAN BODY’S HEALTH FUNCTION IMPROVEMENT BY VARIOUS WHOLE-BODY SPORTS EXERCISES

ABSTRACT Introduction Studies have shown that physical exercise is beneficial to people’s overall physical and mental health, but few research reports on the effects of different physical exercises on people’s human health. Object The paper explores the difference in human health function between people who adhere to traditional health sports and those who rarely exercise and provide a scientific basis for applying and promoting traditional health sports in TCM “prevention of disease”. Methods The paper surveyed 526 people who regularly participate in physical exercises and rarely exercise. The exercise items are divided into Tai Chi/Tai Chi sword group, Health Qigong Baduanjin group, Health Qigong Wuqinxi group, and Health Qigong Yijin group. Warp group, walking/jogging group. Results There are differences in the mental indicators of the people in different exercise groups. The overall average percentage levels of and NK cells in each exercise group and the tiny exercise group are different, and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Persisting in physical exercise is beneficial to the balance of health and function of the population. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

The effects of Baduanjin exercise on the subjective memory complaint of older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Baduanjin exercise on promoting memory function, executive function and general self-efficacy, decreasing the level of subjective memory complaints of older adults.In this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to 12-week Baduanjin exercise group or 12-week control group. Subjective memory complaint questionnaire, Auditory verbal learning test, Trail Making Test and General Self-Efficacy Scale was used to assess the subjective memory complaint level, memory function, executive function and general self-efficacy level at three times (baseline, after intervention and follow up at 3 months). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the outcome variables of the two groups.There were no significant differences between the Baduanjin exercise and the control group at baseline in demographic, SMCQ, MoCA, and GDS-15. Compared to participants in the control group, participants in the Baduanjin group had a significantly improvement in memory function (F = 46.93, P < .00), executive function (F = 317.83, P < .00) and general self-efficacy (F = 38.72, P < .00) at the end of 12-week intervention period and after 3months follow-up period (P < .01). At the same time, participants in the Baduanjin group had a significantly greater decrease in subjective memory complaint scores at the end of 12-week intervention period and after 3months follow-up period (F = 24.53, P < 0.00).Baduanjin exercise appears to be a feasible and acceptable intervention to improve subjective memory complaint among older adults.

Effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention on cognitive function and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMore than 50% cognitive impairment was reported by cancer patients before and after medical treatment. However, there are no effective interventions to manage the cognitive problem in women with breast cancer. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function and cancer-related symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.MethodA single-blinded, randomized control trial was designed. The trial will recruit 70 patients with early-stage breast cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy from Shanghai in China. All participants will be randomly assigned to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the wait-list control group for 3 months. The effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention will be evaluated by outcome measures including subjective and objective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression, and anxiety), and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 8 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2). The PCI score in the FACT-Cog as the primary cognitive outcome will be reported descriptively, while effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be calculated. The collected data will be analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling.DiscussionThis is the first randomized clinical trial to investigate whether Baduanjin exercise will have a positive role in improving cognitive function in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. If possible, Baduanjin exercise will be a potential non-pharmacological intervention to manage cognitive dysfunction and promote survivorship care among breast cancer survivors.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2000033152. Registered on 22 May 2020

Clinical Effects of Baduanjin Qigong Exercise on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise for health improvement. However, a few studies were examining the association between Baduanjin Qigong exercise and cancer patients. This study is conducted to explore the clinical effects of the Baduanjin Qigong exercise among cancer patients. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of the Baduanjin Qigong exercise on cancer patients. We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Airiti Library for all relevant studies from inception through December 31, 2020, without language limitations. Two authors independently screened selected studies, assessed the quality of included studies, and extracted information. Any disagreement was discussed with a third senior author. Summary estimates were obtained using meta-analysis with the random effects model. Results Among the fourteen articles involved in the systematic review, ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Cancer patients with moderate-severe cancer-related fatigue were significantly less in the Baduanjin group compared with the control group (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.17, 0.42]). Three studies used the questionnaire of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) in the assessment of quality of life, and two used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). For FACT-B, the Baduanjin group scored significantly higher than the control group (mean difference = 11.04, 95% CI [9.56, 12.53]). For EORTC QLQ-C30, the Baduanjin group scored significantly higher than the control group (mean difference = 10.57, 95% CI [7.82, 13.32]). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score for sleep quality of the Baduanjin group is significantly lower than the control group (mean difference = −2.89, 95% CI [−3.48, −2.30]). Conclusion In conclusion, we found the Baduanjin exercise had positive clinical effects on cancer patients. This meta-analysis not only supported that the Baduanjin exercise can alleviate the degree of cancer-related fatigue in patients but also improved their quality of life and sleep quality. Further long-term follow-up randomized controlled trials are warranted.

The effect of baduanjin exercise in rehabilitation for functional ankle instability

Introduction: Patients with functional ankle instability (FAI) have problems with joint control, balance, gait, and postural symmetry. Baduanjin is a type of traditional Chinese exercise that has been shown to be effective in treating many diseases and symptoms. However, to date, the effect of Baduanjin in patients with FAI has not been proved. This pilot trial is an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial, and its objective is to study the efficacy and safety of Baduanjin on the rehabilitation of patients with FAI. Methods: Seventy-two participants, who are eligible according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, will be randomized (in a 1:1 ratio), using a random number table, into two groups: a Baduanjin group and a conventional treatment group. The Baduanjin group will be subjected to the Baduanjin exercise in addition to the conventional treatment therapy. Participants' exercise programs will be implemented for 4 weeks (5 days a week). All participants will be assessed at baseline, and after two and 4 weeks of treatment. The surface electromyography results of the bilateral erector spinae, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus will be the primary outcomes, while the balance function under different conditions and the level of FAI in daily life measured using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool will be the secondary outcomes. Ethics and Dissemination: The trial has been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Dongzhimen Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (no. DZMEC-KY-2019-18), and it will follow the principles of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statements as well as the Declaration of Helsinki. The findings of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The results will also be disseminated to the participants via phone calls or e-mail. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ID: ChiCTR1900021939 (March 17, 2019). http://www.chictr.org.cn/.

The Effect Of Mind-body Exercise On Working Memory: Differences Between Experts And Novices

BACKGROUND: Working memory is one of the sub-abilities of executive function and plays an important role in the entire cognitive process. However, working memory decline in aging seriously impairs the living ability of older people. Therefore, how to mitigate the decline of working memory function in older adults has become a focal point of current research. Mind-body exercise (MBE) is considered an effective way to delay cognitive decline in older adults, but the effects of MBE on working memory function and mechanisms by which MBE may improve cognition in older adults remain unknown. PURPOSE: This study explores whether long-term MBE will influence working memory function by comparing MBE experts with novices. These findings will a provide theoretical and empirical basis for maintaining the cognitive function of older people. METHODS: A total of 39 healthy older people (all female, mean age = 65.23 ± 2.43 years) from a community in Beijing participated in this experiment. 13 subjects in the Tai Chi group (TC) experienced more than 5 years of TC exercise. 13 subjects in the Baduanjin group (BD) experienced more than 5 years of BD exercise, and 13 subjects without systematic MBE were assigned to the control group. Each participant was administered the N-back task to evaluate working memory function. The primary outcome was reaction time (RT) and accuracy rate (AR) for the N-back task. RESULTS: the TC group and BD group had faster RT for N-back task compared with the novice group (p<0.05). The RT of the BD group was faster than the TC group, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The TC group and BD group had higher AR for the N-back task compared with the novice group (p<0.05). The AR of TC group was higher than BD group, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Different BMEs are beneficial to the working memory function of the elderly. Compared with the novices, long-term BME can significantly improve the working memory function of older adults, which is an effective exercise to maintain the cognitive function of the elderly.

The Effect Of Traditional Chinese Exercise On Diabetic : A Non-randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Clinical practice recommendations issued by the American Diabetes Association in 2019 include the health status and quality of life of people with diabetes as part of their daily care , and believe that it’s important to strengthen physical exercise for diabetic patients. Previous studies have shown that the Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese sport, can regulate blood glucose and blood lipids, weight loss and improve immunity.This study was aimed at investigating the effects and safety of Modified Baduanjin on patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Forty patients were divided into the Modified Baduanjin group (Α group, n=22) and the control group (Β group, n=18) for 12 weeks according to their individual motivation. On the basis of conventional hypoglycemic treatment, Group Α practiced Baduanjin for 30 minutes per day, 4 times per week, while no exercise intervention was given in group Β. The main study outcomes included changes in fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin,Quality of Life score( QoL score, 100 in total), muscle endurance, and flexibility after 12 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups at baseline. Group Α in glycosylated hemoglobin (pre 6.56±0.70 vs post 6.28±0.70) , QoL score (pre 80.18±9.02 vs post 86.64±9.91) , muscle endurance (pre 3.76±4.38 vs post 6.91±5.73) and flexibility (pre 2.86±9.69 vs post 5.88±9.75) . All the above results were statistically significant (P<0.05).There were no statistical significance in group Β (P>0.05) . 2) Few changes were found in fasting blood glucose and lipid parameters both in two groups(P>0.05). 3) All patients completed the exercise programme with no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Chinese traditional exercise is effective and safe in regulating and control the level of blood glucose, enhancing physical fitness and improving the quality of life.

Baduanjin mind-body exercise improves logical memory in long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.

Neurocognitive impairment is one of the core symptoms in schizophrenia and poses a great challenge to effective treatment. Sixty-one long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: Baduanjin exercise and brisk walking. Patients in the Baduanjin group received 24 weeks of Baduanjin training (5 days/week, 40 min/day), while patients in the brisk walking group received 24 weeks of brisk walking (5 days/week, 40 min/day). Scores on the Wechsler Memory Scale, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and the positive and negative syndrome scale were used to evaluate the logical memory (LM), processing speed, and clinical symptoms of all participants, while the score of Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A) was applied to assess the visual attention and graphomotor speed, at baseline and the 16th week and 24th week of intervention. The one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the differences in neurocognitive changes between the two groups. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences between the two groups in the LM immediate (F = 6.21, p = 0.003) and LM delayed (F=5.60, p = 0.005) scores, but not in the completion times of TMT-A (F=.22, p = 0.806) or DSST scores (F=0.97, p = 0.328). A significant effect of time was also detected in the LM immediate (F=10.24, p = 0.000) and LM delayed (F=4.93, p = 0.009) scores and in the completion time of the TMT-A (F=33.10, p = 0.000), but not in the DSST scores (F=2.12, p = 0.122). Baduanjin exercise could improve logical memory in the long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

The health effects of Baduanjin exercise (a type of Qigong exercise) in breast cancer survivors: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise, which is a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, in breast cancer survivors to assess its efficacy for physical and psychological rehabilitation. The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-six subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 40) groups. The intervention group received Baduanjin exercise 3 days/week at hospital and another 4 days/week at home for 6 months, whereas the control group were requested to maintain their original physical activity. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), heart rate variability, lung capacity, arm circumference, shoulder range of motion, step test index, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL). After 6 months of intervention, heart rate variability and shoulder range of motion were significantly improved in the Baduanjin group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were also significant improvements in depression, QOL, and four QOL dimension scores (physical well-being, social well-being, functional well-being, and breast cancer subscale) (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the BMI, lung capacity, arm circumference, step test index, anxiety, and the emotional well-being QOL dimension scores. Our findings indicate that Baduanjin is an effective intervention for improving physical and psychological health outcomes among breast cancer survivors, which is worth recommending and implementing by oncology nurses for breast cancer survivors during their long rehabilitation journeys.

Different modulation effects of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin on resting-state functional connectivity of the default mode network in older adults.

The default mode network (DMN) plays an important role in age-related cognitive decline. This study aims to explore the modulation effect of two mind–body interventions (Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin) on DMN in elderly individuals. Participants between 50 and 70 years old were recruited and randomized into a Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin or control group. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese Revision and resting-state fMRI scans were administered at baseline and following 12 weeks of exercise. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) was calculated. We found that (i) compared to the Baduanjin group, Tai Chi Chuan was significantly associated with increased rsFC between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and right putamen/caudate and (ii) compared to the control group, Tai Chi Chuan increased posterior cingulate cortex rsFC with the right putamen/caudate, while Baduanjin decreased rsFC between the mPFC and orbital prefrontal gyrus/putamen. Baseline mPFC rsFC with orbital prefrontal gyrus was negatively correlated with visual reproduction subscore. These results suggest that both Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin can modulate the DMN, but through different pathways. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying different mind–body interventions may shed light on the development of new methods to prevent age-related diseases as well as other disorders associated with disrupted DMN.

Mind-body exercise improves cognitive function and modulates the function and structure of the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common neurological disorder. This study aims to investigate the modulation effect of Baduanjin (a popular mind-body exercise) on MCI. 69 patients were randomized to Baduanjin, brisk walking, or an education control group for 24 weeks. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans were applied at baseline and at the end of the experiment. Compared to the brisk walking and control groups, the Baduanjin group experienced significantly increased MoCA scores. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) analysis showed significantly decreased ALFF values in the right hippocampus (classic low-freqency band, 0.01‐0.08 Hz) in the Baduanjin group compared to the brisk walking group and increased ALFF values in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC, slow-5 band, 0.01-0.027 Hz) in the Baduanjin group compared to the control group. Further, ALFF value changes in the right hippocampus and bilateral ACC were significantly associated with corresponding MoCA score changes across all groups. We also found increased gray matter volume in the Baduanjin group in the right hippocampus compared to the brisk walking group and in the bilateral ACC compared to the control group. In addition, there was an increased resting state functional connectivity between the hippocampus and right angular gyrus in the Baduanjin group compared to the control group. Our results demonstrate the potential of Baduanjin for the treatment of MCI.

Effect of community based practice of Baduanjin on self-efficacy of adults with cardiovascular diseases.

BackgroundLow self-efficacy in chronic disease patients is one of the main disturbances which require physical and mental rehabilitation, calling for the development of a home accessible way to improve self-management.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a community based Baduanjin exercise on self-efficacy in adults with cardiovascular disease.DesignA randomized controlled trial, longitudinal research design was employed.ParticipantsAfter screening by health documents in Community Health Service Station, a total of 134 patients with records of cardiovascular diseases were had been enrolled according to the following inclusion criteria: (1) Community dwelling adults in Xili Community; (2) Patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases by community doctors, or other clinicians in health records in the past 3 years (2013–2015); (3) independent walking.Participants were excluded if they: (1) had impaired mobility and limited extremities functionality; (2) had not been in stable health condition and could not adhere to the exercise regime; (3) had communication difficulties and limited ability to follow instructions.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to the Baduanjin group or the control group. Those in the Baduanjin group received 16 weeks of Baduanjin exercise training, while those in the control group kept the original exercise mode unchanged. The Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-item Scale (SEMCD6) was administered to subjects before and after intervention.ResultsDemographic data showed that 65.12% of the enrolled 129 participants were aged 65 or older, 92.25% received less than 12 years of education, and 68.21% participants’ monthly income was less than 1999 RMB. Before intervention, SEMCD6 scores of 86.36% participants in Baduanjin group were below 7 points, while 85.71% in control group; after 16 weeks of Baduanjin exercise, SEMCD6 scores lower than 7 points in Baduanjin group (21.21%) were significantly lower than that of the control group (84.13%). The increase of SEMCD6 scores in Baduanjin group was statistically significant in the confidence to keep the fatigue, to keep the physical discomfort or pain, to keep the emotional distress and do the different tasks and activities (P<0.01).ConclusionsAdults with cardiovascular diseases in community have lower level of education, most of whom have a low monthly income; thus, community dwelling cardiovascular disease patients are more suitable for an economic program to persist their long term management of the disease. Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese medicine regimen with less physical and cognitive demand; community based exercise of Baduanjin could help to increase self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular diseases, thus better self-management of rehabilitation process.

Evaluation of the curative effect of “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/Patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: 516 patients with COPD in the stable period of the disease were invited to participate in this cluster randomized trial with 260 patients in the trial group, and the other 256 in the control group. All the patients were treated with the routine medicine regimen. The integrated intervention for the trial group includes educational activity, physical activity and pharmacotherapy. Meanwhile, the trial group subdivided into Baduanjin group and other exercises group according to their own situations, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, number of acute exacerbation and spirometry were analyzed before, 6 months post and 12 months post. Results: After 12 months of annular management, CAT score of patients in the management group decreased 3.76, mMRC scale decreased 0.45, the number of acute exacerbation less than twice increased to 75%, which were superior to those of the control group ([Formula: see text]). Decreasing score of CAT and mMRC scale in Baduanjin group were much more than that in other exercise subgroup ([Formula: see text]). Conclusion: “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model can alleviate the symptoms of patients with stable COPD, improve the life quality and reduce the risk of exacerbation, and is more integrated than medication management. Baduanjin as Chinese characteristic pulmonary rehabilitation exercise is worthy of further promotion due to better outstanding other than sports in improving the quality of life.

Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin practice modulates functional connectivity of the cognitive control network in older adults

Cognitive impairment is one of the most common problem saffecting older adults. In this study, we investigated whether Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin practice can modulate mental control functionand the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the cognitive control network in older adults. Participants in the two exercise groups practiced either Tai Chi Chuan or Baduanjin for 12 weeks, and those in the control group received basic health education. Memory tests and fMRI scans were conducted at baseline and at the end of the study. Seed-based (bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, DLPFC) rsFC analysis was performed. We found that compared to the controls, 1) both Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin groups demonstrated significant improvements in mental control function; 2) the Tai Chi Chuan group showed a significant decrease in rsFC between the DLPFC and the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and anterior cingulate cortex; and 3) the Baduanjin group showed a significant decrease in rsFC between the DLPFC and the left putamen and insula. Mental control improvement was negatively associated with rsFC DLPFC-putamen changes across all subjects. These findings demonstrate the potential of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin exercises in preventing cognitive decline.

Effects of Ba Duan Jin Qigong on Balance and Fitness Ability in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of Ba Duan Jin (BDJ) on balance and fitness ability in older adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design: Randomized, controlled trial of 24 weeks duration. Setting: Twenty congregate living facilities in the Beijing area of China. Participants: Ninety-four older adults with type 2 diabetes of 54 women and 40 men aged 60 to 70. Interventions: BDJ group trained Ba duan jin was 6 months, with five 1-2 h sessions per week, and CG received no intervention. Measurements: Demographics, Static and dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale) , dynamic balance (Timed Upand- Go), fitness test (Arm Curls, 30-Second Chair Stand, Back Scratch, Chair Sit-and-Reach, 8-foot Timed Up-and-Go, 6-Minute Walk Test), Bone Mineral Density (BDM) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured for each subject at baseline and 6 months later. Results: After 6 months of Ba duan jin exercise, older adults with type 2 diabetes significantly increased in Berg Balance Scale (P=0.015), arm curls right (P=0.039), 30-second chair stand (P=0.041), back scratch-right (P=0.049), right chair sit-and-reach (P=0.008), left chair sit-and-reach (P=0.009), 6-min walk test (P=0.045),Timed Up-and-Go (P=0.021), HbA1c (P=0.034) of the BDJG. The CG performance remained at the pretest level. Conclusion: The results of this study recommend that Ba duan jin exercise may have the potential to improve the balance performance and body flexibility, muscle strength, aerobic endurance, and decrease HbA1c of older people with type 2 diabetic.

Efficacy of Baduanjin Exercise and Feasibility of Mobile Text Reminders on Follow-up Participation in People With Severe Mental Illness: An Exploratory Study.

People with severe mental illness (SMI) frequently have poor physical health, which can in part be related to a low level of physical activity. The goal of this exploratory study was to examine the efficacy of a group participating in Baduanjin (a type of traditional Chinese exercise) on the health of individuals with SMI and the feasibility/acceptability of using short message service (SMS) reminder strategies to prompt continued exercise during a follow-up period. Participants (N=11) participated in a Baduanjin group session for 8 weeks and then maintained home-based Baduanjin with SMS reminders for another 8 weeks. Physical and psychological tests were administered to participants. Significant improvements were found in balance and processing speed and in some domains of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) after the Baduanjin program. Participants were able to maintain engagement in 80% of the expected practice time during the follow-up period. The acceptability of strategies to support home-based exercise, including SMS reminders, was high. This preliminary study suggested the efficacy of Baduanjin and the feasibility of SMS reminders in maintaining follow-up participation in people with SMI. Future studies using a larger sample size and a control group are needed to confirm the findings.

The Effect of Chinese Traditional Exercise-Baduanjin on Physical and Psychological Well-Being of College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThe physical and mental health of college students tends to continuously decline around the world, therefore, it is important to improve their health during college period. Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese exercise which combines movements with breath and mind, may be one of the selectable effective exercises. However, the effect of Baduanjin exercise on college students has not been established. In this study, we systematically assessed the effectiveness and safety of Baduanjin exercise on physical and mental health of college students by a rigorous randomized, parallel-controlled design.MethodsA total of 222 college students from Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were recruited and randomly allocated at an equal ratio into control or Baduanjin training. Participants in control group were informed to maintain their original activity habit, and those in Baduanjin exercise group received a 12-week Baduanjin exercise training with a frequency of 1 hour per day and 5 days per week on the basis of their original activity habit. The physical and psychological outcomes, including lumbar muscle strength, lower limb proprioception function, physical fitness, as well as self-reported symptom intensity, stress, self-esteem, mood, quality of life, quality of sleep, and adverse events, were evaluated at baseline, 13 weeks (at the end of 12-week intervention), and 25 weeks (after the 12-week follow-up period). Intention-to-treat analysis was performed for the above outcomes.ResultsCompared with controls, significant improvements in Baduanjin exercise group at the end of 12-week intervention period were found on lower limb proprioception function (the rate of average trace error on right lower limb (%): control 23.50±5.50, Baduanjin 21.92±6.54, P=0.004; the rate of average trace error on left lower limb (%): control 22.32±6.62, Baduanjin 20.63±4.62, P=0.046), cardiorespiratory endurance (step test index: control 47.66±5.94, Baduanjin 50.07±9.30, P=0.025), flexibility (control 14.35±7.26cm, Baduanjin 15.39±6.43cm, P=0.009) and explosive force of lower limb (standing long jump test (m): control 1.77±0.24, Baduanjin 1.79±0.22, P=0.005 for adjustment baseline) in physical outcomes, and attention (Schulte Grid test (second): control 210.4±51.15, Baduanjin 192.4±47.14, P=0.034) in mental outcome. Lumbar muscle strength in Baduanjin group had been moderately enhanced but no significant difference compared to controls. No significant changes in other physical and mental outcomes, including vital capacity, blood pressure, heart rate, hand grip force, self-symptom intensity, stress, self-efficacy, quality of life, and quality of sleep, were found between groups. No adverse event was reported during the study period.ConclusionRegular Baduanjin exercise had an advantage for college students on improvement of lower limb proprioception, enhance of cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, explosive force of lower limb and attention, compared with usual exercise.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-13003329 http://www.chictr.org

Specificity and sensitivity of visual evoked potentials P100 latency to different events exercise

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are a series of signals about visual occipital cortex in response to visual stimuli and can be used as one of ob-jective non-invasive neuro-physiological pa-rameters to reflect the visual organs and central visual pathway’s functional integrity. Previous studies have shown that acute and chronic ex-ercise could affect VEPs independent from body temperature and other physiological parameters. VEPs may well be used as neuro-physiological criteria in defining the performances of the ath-letes. Different sports training have different effects on VEPs, but the results are not consis-tent. P100 latency is the representative compo-nent of VEPs and it is of high, steady amplitude and of slight intra- and inter-individual variabil-ity so that the index is most commonly used. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specificity and sensitivity of P100 latency to dif-ferent physical activities. The neural electricity device of NDI-200 was used to measure the pattern reversal VEPs of all subjects, including the values of the resting state before and after different events exercise. Different events exer-cise contained an aerobic cycloergometric ex-ercise (7 subjects were conducted to a Bruce Graded Exercise Test on the Monark Ergomedic 839E cycloergometer, THR (target heart rate) = 85% HRmax, 3 times/week, about 10 minutes once time, 6 weeks), tennis training (16 volun-teers, 2 hours/day, 3 days/week, 8 weeks), aerobic Latin exercise (7 subjects, 1 hour/day, 3 days/week, 6 weeks) and the Baduanjin of Health Qigong training (6 subjects, 1 hour/day, 3 days/week, 6 weeks). The VEPs recordings of the control groups obtained synchronized with the experimental groups. SPSS 11.5 for win-dows was used for statistical analysis. A level of P﹤0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. The VEPs P100 latency of post-exercise of all experimental groups except Baduanjin group became shorter significantly compared with those of pre-exercise (P﹤0.05). No significant difference was found between pre-and post- exercise for the control groups. This study showed that exercise could shorten the P100 la-tency significantly. Moreover, it also indicated that VEPs were sensitive to exercise to a certain extent. We concluded that VEPs might well be used as neuro-physiological criteria in defining the performances of the athletes. It was found that the VEPs P100 latency became shorter after most training programs; furthermore, it demon-strated that P100 latency of VEPs had little specificity to different events.

Baduanjin Alleviates the Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

To assess the feasibility and safety of using the health-promoting traditional Chinese exercise, known as Baduanjin, in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-eight (28) female patients who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee signed the informed consent and were randomized into the Baduanjin group (n=14) and the control group (n=14). Eleven (11) patients in the Baduanjin group and 10 patients in the control group completed the trial. The Baduanjin group patients exercised following taped commands in the community entertainment room during 30-minute classes five times a week for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received no treatment. Indicators that include knee pain, stiffness, physical disability, general health, quadriceps strength, and aerobic ability were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), and the Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors (ISKE). Compared with the control group, the participants in the Baduanjin group had statistically significant improvements in percentage changes of the WOMAC pain subscale (-61.8+/-35.7% versus 44.6+/-102.8%; p=0.006), the WOMAC stiffness subscale (-53.4+/-46.1% versus 135.8+/-386.7%; p=0.029), the WOMAC physical function subscale (-7.4+/-81.9% versus 140.5+/-151.9%; p=0.024), 6-MWT (11.9+/-7.5% versus 1.6+/-13.0%; p=0.036), and Peak Torque of the ISKE (15.1+/-33.7% versus -16.1+/-16.6%; p=0.016). The SF-36's General Health, Social Function, and Mental Health subscales had no significant changes between those in the Baduanjin and control groups. As such, no adverse events from treatment were reported. This study suggested that the Baduanjin exercise provided a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with knee OA, as well as offered reductions in pain, stiffness, and disability, which helped improve the patients' quadriceps strength and aerobic ability.