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Adding a qigong (Baduanjin) intervention to standard prenatal care and lifestyle education reduces the rate of caesarean section in pregnant women.

This multicenter RCT protocol aims to evaluate whether a pregnancy-adapted qigong (Baduanjin) program, added to routine lifestyle intervention, reduces the caesarean section rate. The study plans to enroll 1062 women with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks gestation across 11 Chinese institutions. The primary outcome is caesarean section rate, with secondary outcomes including obstetric complications, neonatal indicators, gestational weight gain, and mental health/sleep measures.

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

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
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) combines gentle movement, breath control, and meditation
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May reduce stress and improve autonomic nervous system regulation
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Could enhance physical fitness and pelvic floor function during pregnancy
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Result: Potentially lower rates of caesarean section and improved maternal-child outcomes

Limitations

  • ⚠This is a protocol paper; no results are yet available to confirm the claim.
  • ⚠The abstract does not specify the exact frequency, duration, or intensity of the qigong intervention, limiting replicability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baduanjin qigong?▼

Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise consisting of eight gentle movements, often performed seated or standing, that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused attention.

How many participants are in this trial?▼

The trial plans to enroll 1062 pregnant women across 11 institutions in China.

What is the primary outcome measured?▼

The primary outcome is the rate of caesarean section.

Is this study already completed?▼

No, this is a protocol paper describing the planned trial design; results are not yet available.

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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.