Effectiveness and safety of Baduanjin for schizophrenia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, the course of the disease is long and its onset is thought to be related to neurodevelopmental, genetic, and oxidative stress factors and so on. There is no means of cure. Typical drug therapy is effective in treating the acute stage of schizophrenia, while the impaired social and life functions of patients are often neglected. Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese physical and breathing exercise that not only strengthens the muscles, and moves the joints, but also exercises the will. Many studies have been reported in the study on the application of Baduanjin to schizophrenic patients to promote recovery, but no research systematically evaluates the therapeutic effects and safety of Baduanjin for schizophrenic patients. This study aims to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of Baduanjin in the treatment of schizophrenic patients.

Reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Baduanjin for schizophrenia will be searched in the following data sources, including 3 English databases（PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library）and 4 Chinese databases（China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang, and China Clinical Trials Registry Database）, and their publication time is restricted from the establishment of the database to October 1, 2022. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. RevMan V.5.4 software will be used for meta-analysis. The protocol will be performed according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines.

The results will provide a systematic overview of the current evidence on the use of Baduanjin to treat schizophrenia.

The conclusions of this study will help clarify whether Baduanjin is effective and safe for treating schizophrenia.