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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity and Overweight
• Intervention / 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

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 58
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Beijin
    • Beijin, Beijin, China, 100053
      • China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: The Baduanjin group; 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.	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 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.
No Intervention: The blank control group; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Infrared Thermography	Used for detecting human body surface temperature	10min

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Chengdu Sport University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 25, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 25, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): January 10, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 16, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 16, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): June 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): June 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 16, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nutrition Disorders; Overnutrition; Body Weight; Overweight
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2018NO.03-2024NO.04

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Unpublished IPD may contain measurement errors, missing records, or supplementary data that failed ethical review, and direct sharing could lead to deviations in secondary analysis conclusions.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No