A qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program reduces the rate of caesarean section in pregnant women when added to routine lifestyle intervention.
This multicenter RCT protocol aims to evaluate the additive effect of a qigong intervention program (modified seated Baduanjin) compared to routine lifestyle intervention alone on reducing caesarean section rate in 1062 pregnant women aged 18-45 with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks gestation. The primary outcome is caesarean section rate, with secondary outcomes including obstetric complications, neonatal indicators, maternal gestational weight gain, and mental health and sleep-related outcomes.
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A qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program reduces the rate of caesarean section in pregnant women when added to routine lifestyle intervention. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
A qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program reduces the rate of caesarean section in pregnant women when added to routine lifestyle intervention.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Pregnant women aged 18-45 years with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks of gestation, recruited from 11 institutions in China.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸The adjunctive effect of a qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program on maternal and child health outcomes: a multicenter randomized controlled trial protocol. (BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Qigong (Baduanjin) promotes relaxation and mind-body integration
- ▸Reduces stress and anxiety during pregnancy
- ▸Improves physical fitness and pelvic floor function
- ▸Result: Lower likelihood of caesarean section and improved maternal-child outcomes
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Pregnant women aged 18-45 years with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks of gestation, recruited from 11 institutions in China
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸This is a protocol paper; results are not yet available, so no definitive effect can be claimed
- ▸The study is limited to Chinese institutions, which may affect generalizability to other populations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary outcome of this qigong trial?▼
The primary outcome is the rate of caesarean section.
How many participants will be enrolled in this study?▼
A total of 1062 participants will be enrolled.
What type of qigong is used in the intervention?▼
A modified seated Baduanjin exercise program, adapted for pregnancy.
What sleep-related outcome is measured in this trial?▼
Sleep quality is assessed using the Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI).
References
- 1.Wang F, Zeng W, Zhou T, Yun F, Li X, Li Y, Li H, Huang Y, Yu D, Guo S, Liu X, Hu C, Zhou J, Fan L, Ma L, Yu G, Xie D, Xu X, Qu F. “The adjunctive effect of a qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program on maternal and child health outcomes: a multicenter randomized controlled trial protocol..” BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. PMID: 41629834 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-026-08714-0