SynthesisFrontiers in public health2025
The effects of Qigong exercise on sleep quality in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effects of Health Qigong on quality of life, physical function, and mental health in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
- Effects of Baduanjin exercise on sleep quality, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and body composition in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
- The influence of Baduanjin on sleep and depression and anxiety of college students with Qi-deficiency constitution: a randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Trial
- Health Qigong engagement scale and wellbeing in Chinese older adults.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbances are common among older adults. While pharmacological treatments may offer short-term relief, they are often associated with adverse effects. Non-pharmacological interventions are thus urgently needed. Qigong, a traditional Chinese practice known for its safety and adaptability, has gained attention as a potential intervention to improve sleep. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the existing evidence regarding the effects of Qigong on sleep quality in older adults. Methods: Seven databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to October 8th, 2025. The primary outcome was the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and its subcomponents. The methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and R version 4.2.0. Results: We included 15 RCTs involving 1,074 participants. Low certainty of evidence showed that Qigong significantly improved sleep quality compared to control groups, as measured by PSQI total score (MD = -2.47, 95% CI [-3.09, -1.85], Conclusion: Qigong, particularly Baduanjin, may effectively improve sleep quality in older adults. Nevertheless, given the methodological limitations and heterogeneity of the included studies, further high-quality research is needed to validate these findings and inform clinical practice. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024621360, identifier: CRD42024621360.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.