The effects of Baduanjin exercise on fatigue and quality of life in patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Baduanjin exercise on fatigue and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. Participants diagnosed with heart failure were recruited from two large medical centers in northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=39) or control (n=41) groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent a 12-week Baduanjin exercise program, which included Baduanjin exercise three times per week for 12 weeks at home, a 35-minute Baduanjin exercise demonstration video, a picture-based educational brochure, and a performance record form. The control group received usual care and received no intervention. Fatigue and quality of life were assessed using a structural questionnaire at baseline, four weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: Participants in the Baduanjin exercise group showed significant improvement in fatigue (F=5.08, p=0.009) and quality of life (F=9.11, p=0.001) over time from baseline to week 12 after the intervention. Those in the control group showed significantly worse fatigue (F=3.46, p=0.033) over time from baseline to week 12 and no significant changes in quality of life (F=0.70, p=0.518). Compared to the control group, the exercise group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in fatigue and quality of life at four weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks. Conclusions: This simple traditional exercise is recommended for Taiwanese patients with heart failure in order to improve their fatigue and quality of life.