Updated Meta-Analysis Assessing Effects of Baduanjin on Cardiopulmonary Functions of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Background. Baduanjin is a kind of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, but its effect on the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is controversial. Furthermore, the small sample size of a single study and the inconsistent selection of evaluation indicators among different studies all promote the necessity of conducting a meta-analysis. Objective. This meta-analysis aims to explore whether Baduanjin can effectively improve the cardiopulmonary function in patients with CHD and to assess the extrapolation of the results. Methods. Both English and Chinese databases were used for literature retrieval. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included literature. A weighted mean difference and a 95% confidence interval were used to assess the effects of Baduanjin on cardiopulmonary function based on multiple CR indicators. Cochran’s Q and I2 tests were used for the heterogeneity test. A funnel plot and an Egger test were used to evaluate publication bias. Results. After literature retrieval, a total of 12 literature papers were included in this meta-analysis, but their methodological quality was unsatisfactory. By comparing differences between CHD patients with and without Baduanjin, we found that levels of 6MWT, LVEF, NT-proBNP, VO2, peak VO2, MVV, and VE, AT were significantly improved in the experimental group, but heterogeneity exists among included studies. Results of subgroup analyses were consistent with combined estimates and suggested a significant effect of Baduanjin on LVEF. The Egger test indicated no significant publication bias. Conclusion. Baduanjin is beneficial to CR in CHD patients, but multiple region-based high-quality studies are necessary to verify the results.