Baduanjin Qigong Exercise In Patients With Parkinson's Disease

NCT07306169 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 61351342/2023-12
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Keywords

parkinson; baduanjin; rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 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.

Study Arms (2)

phsical therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

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

baduanjin exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

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; Other: baduanjin exercise

Interventions

physical therapy OTHER

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.

baduanjin exercise; phsical therapy

baduanjin exercise OTHER

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.

baduanjin exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Medipol University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mudanya University

Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Interventions

Physical Therapy Modalities

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participant blinding was applied, as individuals did not know which intervention group they belonged to.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Model Details: Randomized controlled trial included 27 elderly individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who were living in a nursing home. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=14). The experimental group received traditional physiotherapy combined with Baduanjin exercises for three months, while the control group received only traditional physiotherapy. Before and after the intervention, participants were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Motor Examination (UPDRS-III).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2025
• First Posted: December 29, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: July 1, 2025
• Last Updated: December 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

TU (1)