Baduanjin Qigong Exercise In Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Medipol Health Group

Status: Completed

Conditions: Parkinson Disease

Treatments: Other: baduanjin exercise; Other: physical therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07306169

61351342/2023-12

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates whether adding Baduanjin exercise, a gentle and easy-to-learn traditional Chinese mind-body practice, can contribute to rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease commonly leads to impairments in balance, walking, and overall motor function, which may affect independence and quality of life.

In this randomized controlled study, participants living in a nursing home were assigned to one of two groups:

a control group receiving standard physiotherapy, and an experimental group receiving Baduanjin exercise in addition to standard physiotherapy for 12 weeks.

Throughout the study, participants were assessed on balance, mobility, walking endurance, and motor symptoms using validated clinical tools.

Full description

This randomized controlled study is designed to evaluate the effects of incorporating Baduanjin exercise, a traditional low-intensity mind-body practice, into a standard physiotherapy program for individuals with Parkinson's disease residing in a long-term care facility. Parkinson's disease frequently results in motor impairments such as postural instability, reduced gait speed, decreased walking endurance, and limitations in functional mobility, creating a need for accessible rehabilitative approaches.

Participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy alone, or (2) an experimental group receiving Baduanjin exercise in addition to conventional physiotherapy. The intervention lasted 12 weeks. The Baduanjin program consisted of eight simplified movements emphasizing balance, postural control, coordinated breathing, and gentle whole-body mobility. Both groups participated in supervised sessions three times per week.

Outcome measures included standardized clinical assessments of balance, functional mobility, walking endurance, and motor symptom severity. These assessments were conducted at baseline and following completion of the 12-week intervention period to record changes over time.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether integrating Baduanjin into routine physiotherapy is feasible and appropriate as a complementary rehabilitative strategy for individuals with Parkinson's disease living in long-term care settings.

Enrollment: 27 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged 65 years and older residing in a nursing home

  • A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease classified as Hoehn & Yahr Stages 1-3
  • Sufficient cognitive ability to follow exercise instructions
  • Willingness to voluntarily participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Severe dementia or cognitive impairment

  • Unstable cardiovascular disease
  • Significant visual or hearing loss
  • Severe osteoarthritis, recent fractures, or movement limitations
  • Inability to follow instructions in Turkish
  • Inability to continue the exercise program during the study period or withdrawal of informed consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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27 participants in 2 patient groups

phsical therapy

Experimental group

Description:

A modified Parkinson's rehabilitation program suitable for elderly residents was implemented. Sessions were held three times per week for 45 minutes over three months. The program included walking practice, stair climbing, sit-to-stand exercises, backward and toe walking, single-leg stance, tandem and lateral walking, turning, weight-shifting with support, and balance exercises using balls and therabands. Strengthening, gait training to improve step length and directional changes, warm-up walking, and breathing exercises were also incorporated. All sessions were conducted in small groups of 3-4 participants.

Treatment:

Other: physical therapy

baduanjin exercise

Experimental group

Description:

A modified Baduanjin program based on the traditional eight movements was applied. The session lasted 15 minutes and each movement was performed for 6-8 repetitions. Exercises included raising the arms in coordination with breathing, a bow-and-arrow movement for scapular control, gentle lateral bending, trunk rotation for postural stability, side leaning for core balance, a forward-reaching movement with bent knees to enhance flexibility, shoulder lifting and releasing for relaxation, and circular arm motions to promote upper-limb mobility and coordination. All movements were adapted to be safe and manageable for older adults.

Treatment:

Other: physical therapy

Other: baduanjin exercise