Baduanjin Qigong Exercise In Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Effect of Baduanjin Exercise on the Rehabilitation of Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Parkinson Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: physical therapy; Other: baduanjin exercise

Detailed 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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 27
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Mudanya University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

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

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: phsical therapy; 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.	Other: physical therapy; 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.
Experimental: baduanjin exercise; 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.	Other: physical therapy; 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.; Other: baduanjin exercise; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
balance	The Berg Balance Scale is one of the most commonly used tests to assess an individual's balance status. It consists of 14 items, each scored from 0 to 4. Total scores between 0-20 indicate a high risk of falling, 21-40 indicate a moderate fall risk, and 41-56 indicate a low fall risk.	through study completion, an average of 6 months
mobility	The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test is used to assess fall risk and mobility in older adults. The test requires a chair and a stopwatch. The patient is asked to stand up from the chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down again. The time taken to complete the task is recorded as the test result. A completion time greater than 12 seconds indicates an increased risk of falling.	through study completion, an average of 6 months
walking capasity	The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is used to assess functional capacity, which is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality. The distance an individual walks in six minutes is recorded in meters. Reference values include approximately 380 m for individuals with COPD (<160 m indicates increased mortality risk), 590-640 m for adults aged 20-50 years, 540-570 m for those aged 60-70 years, and 470-530 m for individuals aged 70-80 years.	through study completion, an average of 6 months.
parkinson degree	The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Part III, assesses the motor examination of individuals with Parkinson's disease. During the assessment, the examiner demonstrates each movement while providing instructions and then evaluates the patient's performance. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 4, and all motor functions are assessed separately.	through study completion, an average of 6 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 29, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: rehabilitation; parkinson; baduanjin
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Synucleinopathies; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Movement Disorders; Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Physical Therapy Modalities
• Other Study ID Numbers: 61351342/2023-12

Drug and device information, study documents

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