Optimal Exercise Parameters of Baduanjin for Improving Glycemic and Lipid Control in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shiying Zhang¹Shun Fan¹Hongyi Wang¹Li Limeng¹Kaihan Su¹Lianjun Yin²Huanan Li¹Jingui Wang³Wang Xiaoyu^4*

• ¹First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
• ²The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
• ³First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
• ⁴The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China

Background This meta-analysis explores the optimal exercise parameters of Baduanjin for improving glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Method This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from their inception to April 30, 2025.Studies quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2 (RoB 2). Meta-analysis was performed using R software (version 4.4.2), primarily utilizing the meta and metafor packages. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023480517. Results This meta-analysis included 48 studies involving 3,699 participants. The findings demonstrate that Baduanjin significantly reduces fasting blood glucose (WMD = –0.78, 95% CI: – 0.94 to –0.62, P < 0.0001, I² = 84.2%) and glycated hemoglobin (WMD = –0.67, 95% CI: –0.81 to – 0.53, P < 0.0001, I² = 69.9%) in patients with T2DM, with a substantial effect on triglycerides (WMD = –0.37, 95% CI: –0.57 to –0.16, P < 0.0001, I² = 84.7%). Improvements in total cholesterol (WMD = –0.40, 95% CI: –0.56 to –0.25, P < 0.0001, I² = 86.6%) were comparatively modest. This study suggests potentially optimal exercise parameters for Baduanjin practice: 40–45 minutes per session, three times weekly, for a minimum duration of 24–48 weeks. Conclusion Baduanjin significantly improves glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM. Our findings suggest that three sessions per week, each lasting 40–45 minutes, with an intervention duration of 24–48 weeks, may represent the optimal parameters for metabolic improvement.