Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42698455›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026

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.

Shi-Han Liang, Ming-Yuan Zhao, Si-Min Huang, Qing-Fa Dou, Ya-Kai Zhang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Shi-Han LiangGraduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Ming-Yuan ZhaoFaculty of Physical Education, Harbin Sport University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Si-Min HuangCollege of Physical Education and Health, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, China.
Qing-Fa DouGraduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Ya-Kai ZhangGraduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Health Qigong is widely used for health promotion in older adults. This study aimed to systematically evaluate its effects on physical function, psychological well-being, and quality of life (QoL), alongside the moderating effects of intervention characteristics. Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched (up to May 2025). Twenty-two randomized controlled trials involving 1,791 older adults were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0. Results: Health Qigong significantly improved 6-min walk distance (MD = 18.05 m, Conclusion: Health Qigong is an effective intervention for promoting multidimensional health in older adults. While most of its benefits are comparable to conventional exercise, Health Qigong may offer unique advantages in improving QoL. For clinical and community practice, a regular regimen of "high frequency, long duration, and moderate session length" is recommended, with flexible adaptations based on individual health conditions. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251112609.

Indexed as

Mental HealthQigongQuality of LifeActivities of Daily LivingAgedHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicHealth Qigongmental healthmeta-analysisolder adultsphysical functionquality of lifesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42698455
PMCPMC13541517

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

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.