Trends in the use of Baduanjin for improving sleep quality: a visual analysis

This systematic review synthesizes evidence from Chinese and international studies on Baduanjin--a traditional mind-body practice--and its effects on sleep quality. Employing Citespace software, we mapped research trends, hotspots, and emerging trajectories within this literature. After screening thousands of records, 517 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Publication output exhibits a dramatic upward trajectory, beginning with sparse activity before 2013, accelerating post-2013, spiking sharply after 2018, and peaking in 2023. China dominated as the primary research hub, driven by institutions specializing in traditional Chinese medicine which also formed robust collaborative networks. Key themes identified through keyword co-occurrence analysis include associations between Baduanjin, mental health, emotional states, combined interventions (e.g., with resistance training), and underlyling physiological mechanisms related to improved sleep. These findings offer crucial insights for researchers and funders guiding future investigations in this expanding field.