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Qigong (Baduanjin) intervention reduces caesarean section rate in pregnant women

This multicenter RCT protocol aims to evaluate whether adding a qigong (Baduanjin) intervention to standard prenatal care and lifestyle education reduces the caesarean section rate compared to standard care alone. The study plans to enroll 1062 pregnant women aged 18-45 with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks gestation across 11 institutions in China. The primary outcome is caesarean section rate, with secondary outcomes including obstetric complications, neonatal indicators, gestational weight gain, and mental health/sleep 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) practice promotes relaxation and stress reduction
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Improved stress management may reduce pregnancy complications
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Enhanced physical and mental well-being may lower likelihood of caesarean section
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Result: Reduced caesarean section rate and improved maternal-child outcomes

Limitations

  • ⚠This is a protocol paper; no results are reported yet
  • ⚠The study is limited to Chinese institutions, which may affect generalizability to other populations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary outcome of this study?▼

The primary outcome is the caesarean section rate.

How many participants will be enrolled?▼

A total of 1062 participants will be enrolled across 11 institutions in China.

What type of qigong is used in the intervention?▼

The intervention uses a modified seated Baduanjin exercise program adapted for pregnancy.

What sleep-related outcome is measured?▼

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.