Effects of Long-Term Baduanjin Exercise on the Effectiveness and Safety of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background:

Systematic studies and follow-up evaluation of the effects and duration of Baduanjin exercises are still lacking. This study used a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of long-term cardiac rehabilitation using Baduanjin exercise in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods:

Eight databases were searched up to June 2, 2025. Two reviewers independently screened the included titles, then extracted trial and patient characteristics and outcome data and assessed the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata software 17.0, with cardiac function, exercise capacity, and quality of life pooled as either short-term (12 weeks) or long-term follow-up. Changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, depression, readmission rate, and efficiency rate were also analyzed.

Results:

A total of 21 randomized controlled trials involving 1594 patients (805 in the intervention group and 789 in the control group) were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that long-term Baduanjin exercise was associated with indices of cardiac function and favorable improvements in overall quality of life (mean difference [MD] = −1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.65 to −1.00; p < 0.00001), left ventricular ejection fraction (MD = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.21–0.71; p < 0.00001), exercise capacity (MD = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.72–1.48; p < 0.00001), depression (MD = −0.61; 95% CI: −0.94 to −0.29; p = 0.00;), and efficiency rate (OR = 3.19; 95% CI: 2.04–4.98; p < 0.00001). The improvements in cardiac function, quality of life, and exercise capacity were more pronounced with long-term Baduanjin exercise than with short-term exercise. These changes were not statistically significant (risk ratio = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.09–1.07; p = 0.06), although there was a trend toward an improvement. Analysis of the safety data indicated no serious adverse events.

Conclusions:

Long-term Baduanjin exercise may improve quality of life, exercise capacity, and psychological well-being in patients with CHF. This finding indicates it may have potential as an effective component of cardiac rehabilitation, although further rigorous studies are needed to confirm these benefits.