Physiological impact of Ba Duan Jin versus conventional breathing exercises on pulmonary function and respiratory biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, manageable chronic respiratory disorder characterised by persistent airflow limitation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Ba Duan Jin exercise in improving respiratory function in COPD patients. METHODS: One hundred COPD patients were randomly assigned to a Ba Duan Jin group or a control group (50 each). The Ba Duan Jin group practiced for 30 minutes, five days per week, for 12 weeks, while the control group received no exercise intervention. Outcomes including FEV1%, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were assessed at baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, and at 24-week follow-up. RESULTS: The Ba Duan Jin group showed significant improvements in lung function, exercise capacity, dyspnoea, and quality of life compared to controls, with benefits maintained at follow-up (p < 0.05-0.01). CONCLUSION: Ba Duan Jin significantly improves respiratory function and quality of life in COPD patients.