Effect of Baduanjin Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND: While people’s living standards are improving, the incidence of chronic diseases due to a lack of exercise is increasing. Complex health conditions (e.g., metabolic syndrome) are becoming common, and means to lower their incidence are essential. METHODS: This study systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of Baduanjin exercise on metabolic syndrome-related factors. Using four English databases and three Chinese databases, randomized controlled trials on the effects of Baduanjin exercise on metabolic syndrome were identified. We analyzed whether Baduanjin could alleviate various metabolic syndrome indicators according to our selection guidelines. RESULTS: We found that Baduanjin exercise had positive effects on blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: mean difference (MD)=−6.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): −9.86 to −2.92; I2=12%; diastolic blood pressure: MD=−2.86; 95% CI: −5.96 to −0.23; I2=35%; P=0.07) and total cholesterol (standardized mean (SMD)= −0.55; 95% CI: −1.11 to 0.02; I2=86%; P=0.06), triglyceride (SMD=−0.29; 95% CI: −1.13 to − 0.56; I2=94%; P<0.51), and low-density cholesterol (SMD =−0.33; 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.14; I2=0%; P<0.0007) levels. CONCLUSION: This evidence shows that Baduanjin exercise provides beneficial effects by improving metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in adults. This suggests that Baduanjin exercise could be an effective alternative or complementary approach to conventional treatments for adults with metabolic problems. Additionally, these findings suggest that more rigorous randomized control trials are needed in the future.