Effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment: a randomized...

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Baduanjin training on the cognitive function in stroke survivors with cognitive impairment.

A randomized, two-arm parallel controlled trial with allocation concealment and assessors blinding.

Community centre of Fuzhou city, China.

A total of 48 participants were recruited and randomly allocated into the Baduanjin exercise intervention or control group.

The control group maintained original medication and rehabilitation treatment. The Baduanjin training group received 24-week Baduanjin training with a frequency of three days a week and 40 minutes a day based on original medication and rehabilitation treatment.

The primary outcome was global cognitive function. Secondary outcome measures included the specific domains of cognition (i.e. memory, processing speed, execution, attention and visuospatial ability) and activities daily living.

In total, 41 (Baduanjin n = 22, control n = 19) participants completed 24-week treatment and data collection. Mean differences between groups at 24-week treatment were statistically significant for global cognitive function (MoCA: 2.54 (0.91 to 4.16)), execution (TMT-A: -42.4 (-75.0 to -9.8); TMT-B: -71.3 (-130.6 to -12.1)), memory (immediate recall: 2.11 (0.49 to 3.73); short-term delayed recognition: 2.47 (0.58 to 4.35) and long-term delayed recognition: 1.68(0.18 to 3.17)), attention (response time of alertness: -245.5 (-387 to -104)) and activities of daily living (modified Barthel Index).

Regular Baduanjin training is associated with less loss of cognitive function in patients after stroke.