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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.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. The adjunctive effect of a qigong (Baduanjin) intervention program on maternal and child health outcomes: a multicenter randomized controlled trial protocol.

observational

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 · BMC pregnancy and childbirth (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not specified in abstract
Intervention: Modified seated Baduanjin (qigong) exercise program plus standard prenatal care and evidence-based lifestyle education
Outcome: Cesarean section rate (primary); secondary outcomes include obstetric complications, neonatal indicators, gestational weight gain, stress (PSS-4), fear of childbirth (FOBS), and sleep quality (B-PSQI)
Effect Size: N/A (protocol only, results not yet reported)
Population: Pregnant women aged 18-45 years with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks gestation

Result:

PubMed: 41629834DOI: 10.1186/s12884-026-08714-0

Mechanism Graph

Qigong (Baduanjin) promotes relaxation and mind-body integration
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Reduces stress and anxiety during pregnancy
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Improves physical fitness and pelvic floor function
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Result: Lower likelihood of caesarean section and improved maternal-child outcomes

Limitations

  • ⚠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).

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.