Effects of Baduanjin exercise on motor function, balance and gait in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rehabilitative effects of Baduanjin in Chinese stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This study aims to systematically assess the rehabilitative effects of Baduanjin in stroke patients.

Methods

Ten electronic databases were systematically searched using MeSH and free terms for relevant studies written in the English or Chinese language, and published on or before 15 February 2023. Studies in which Baduanjin was the only difference in treatment administered to experimental and control groups were included in the review. The studies' risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane criteria.

Results

Twenty one studies that involved 1,649 participants were included. Compared to the control group, Baduanjin increased the scores for the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (including both upper and lower extremity components), Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Functional Ambulation Categories, 6-minute Walking Distance, Modified Barthel Index, Barthel Index, and total effective rate, but reduced the scores for the Pk254 balance function detection system, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and neurological deficit scale (P < 0.05, for all).

Conclusion

The present study findings revealed the potential benefits of Baduanjin in improving movement, balance, trunk, ambulation and neurological functions, and the ability to perform activities of daily living in stroke patients. Larger randomized controlled trials with more standardized intervention protocols are required to obtain more robust evidence.

Baduanjin exercise intervention trial: research protocol of a randomised controlled trial for frail kidney transplant recipients

INTRODUCTION

Frailty is one of the most common comorbidities in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Physical, psychological and social frailty could be improved by exercise intervention. Baduanjin, also known as Eight-section Brocades, is a type of traditional Chinese medicine exercise characterised by the interplay between physical postures and movements, breathing and mind. It can help frail patients strengthen their upper and lower body muscles, improve their mood, quality of life and frailty. However, the effectiveness of Baduanjin on frail KTRs remains unknown. Therefore, we will conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin on frail KTRs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This protocol describes an assessor and analyst blinded, parallel RCT for frail KTRs comparing Baduanjin group (n=72) with care-as-usual group (n=72). The primary outcomes are frailty assessed by Frailty Phenotype scale and Tilburg Frailty Indicator scale, and muscle strength assessed by a grip strength metre. The secondary outcomes are quality of life assessed by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36) and depression assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. All these data will be collected at the baseline, after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used to test the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise. Qualitative interviews with participants in the intervention group will also be performed after 6 months. Themes will be extracted from interview transcripts using NVivo software.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Ethics Committees of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2022BZYLL1018) and China-Japan Friendship Hospital (2022-KY-250) had approved the study. The organ donors were all from China-Japan Friendship Hospital. They provided informed consent and they were not executed prisoners. We have provided BMJ Open with documentation from the hospital that indicates that the organs will be harvested ethically. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, media reports and briefings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2100041730.

Effect of Physiotherapy Interventions on Motor Symptoms in People With Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of different types of physiotherapy interventions in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched for relevant RCTs published from database inception to July 14, 2022. Reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the literature quality according to the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and PEDro Scale. This meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 and reported in compliance with the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

Forty-two RCTs with 2,530 participants were included. Across all types of physiotherapy, strength training, mind-body exercise, aerobic exercise, and non-invasive brain stimulation (NiBS) were effective in improving motor symptoms as measured by the (Movement Disorders Society-) Unified PD Scale, whereas balance and gait training (BGT) and acupuncture were not. The pooled results showed that the change in mind-body exercise (MD = -5.36, 95% CI [-7.97 to -2.74], p < .01, I2 = 68%) and NiBS (MD = -4.59, 95% CI [-8.59 to -0.59], p = .02, I2 = 78%) reached clinical threshold, indicating clinically meaningful improvements. Considering the effectiveness of the interventions on motor symptoms, balance, gait and functional mobility, mind-body exercise was recommended the most.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise appears to be a better form of physiotherapy than NiBS and acupuncture for improving motor function. Mind-body exercise showed beneficial effects on motor symptoms, balance, gait and functional mobility in people with PD, and is worthy of being promoted.