Exploring the Role of Baduanjin on Lumbar and Hip Mobility Index in Obese People Based on Infrared Thermography and Meridian Point Specificity

Chengdu Sport University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity and Overweight

Treatments: Behavioral: The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07035639

2018NO.03-2024NO.04

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to explore whether Baduanjin, a traditional fitness practice, can improve waist and hip mobility in obese individuals. Based on the TCM theory that "acupoints have unique effects," researchers hypothesized that Baduanjin might regulate muscle function by stimulating key abdominal and lumbar acupoints (such as Shenque and Guanyuan), thereby enhancing body flexibility.

The study recruited 60 overweight adults (BMI >28) from Beijing and Suzhou, randomly dividing them into two groups: one practiced Baduanjin 4 times a week for 8 weeks, while the other received no additional exercise. Using an infrared thermography device (similar to a "body temperature camera"), researchers measured temperature changes at abdominal and lumbar acupoints. They also evaluated waist mobility through forward bending, backward extension, and lateral flexion tests.

After 8 weeks, the Baduanjin group showed three significant improvements compared to the control group:

Enhanced flexibility: Waist and hip range of motion increased, such as reaching further during sit-and-reach tests.

Higher acupoint temperature: Skin temperature around Shenque, Guanyuan, and other acupoints rose, possibly indicating improved local blood circulation.

Better functional scores: Scores reflecting daily activity comfort and joint health significantly improved, while the control group showed no change.

In conclusion, Baduanjin may benefit obese individuals by "activating" abdominal and lumbar acupoints to optimize muscle function and mobility. Further research is needed to validate the underlying mechanisms.

Enrollment: 58 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants with scores of 72 or above on the HEFESCM-36 scale of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, and meeting the following criteria:

Aged between 18 and 60 years; Able to independently participate in activities required for the physical study; Body mass index (BMI) >28; No musculoskeletal diseases or radiculopathy within one year prior to the trial; No receipt of physical therapy or surgical treatment within one year prior to the trial; Education level of high school or above; Proficient in using the WeChat check-in program; No mental illnesses and with normal learning and communication abilities; Agree to and voluntarily sign the informed consent form for trial participation.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with confirmed specific etiologies, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar fracture, etc.; Individuals with 神经根 compression symptoms, such as sciatica, lumbar disc herniation, etc.; Cases with bacterial or aseptic inflammatory diseases, such as fever, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.; Subjects with other organ pathologies, such as kidney stones, typhlitis, appendicitis, etc.; Pregnant women; Individuals taking medications for mental disorders; Participants engaging in aerobic exercise >3 times/week or anaerobic exercise >4 times/week.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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58 participants in 2 patient groups

The Baduanjin group

Experimental group

Description:

The Baduanjin group received training guided by national-level social sports instructors certified by the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China. The intervention consisted of Baduanjin training 4 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with a total duration (including warm-up and breaks) of ≥30 minutes per session. The training protocol included 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise, a 2-minute break, and an additional 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise.

Treatment:

Behavioral: The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation

The blank control group

No Intervention group

Description:

The blank control group received no exercise intervention and was advised to engage in no more than 3 sessions of aerobic exercise per week during the study. Participants in the Baduanjin group were prohibited from undertaking any other form of exercise training throughout the research period.