Obesity and OverweightNCT07035639
Exploring the Role of Baduanjin on Lumbar and Hip Mobility Index in Obese People Based on Infrared Thermography and Meridian Point Specificity
A study testing The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Chengdu Sport University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study aimed to explore whether Baduanjin, a traditional fitness practice, can improve waist and hip mobility in obese individuals. Based on the TCM theory that "acupoints have unique effects," researchers hypothesized that Baduanjin might regulate muscle function by stimulating key abdominal and lumbar acupoints… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Obesity and Overweight
- What is being tested?
- The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 58 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 25 Oct 2023to 10 Jan 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants with scores of 72 or above on the HEFESCM-36 scale of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, and meeting the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 60 years; Able to independently participate in activities required for the physical study; Body mass index (BMI) >28; No musculoskeletal diseases or radiculopathy within one year prior to the trial; No receipt of physical therapy or surgical treatment within one year prior to the trial; Education level of high school or above; Proficient in using the WeChat check-in program; No mental illnesses and with normal learning and communication abilities; Agree to and voluntarily sign the informed consent form for trial participation.
Who cannot join
- Participants with confirmed specific etiologies, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar fracture, etc.; Individuals with 神经根 compression symptoms, such as sciatica, lumbar disc herniation, etc.; Cases with bacterial or aseptic inflammatory diseases, such as fever, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.; Subjects with other organ pathologies, such as kidney stones, typhlitis, appendicitis, etc.; Pregnant women; Individuals taking medications for mental disorders; Participants engaging in aerobic exercise >3 times/week or anaerobic exercise >4 times/week.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
China1 site
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital
Beijin, Beijin, 100053
About this study
This study aimed to explore whether Baduanjin, a traditional fitness practice, can improve waist and hip mobility in obese individuals. Based on the TCM theory that "acupoints have unique effects," researchers hypothesized that Baduanjin might regulate muscle function by stimulating key abdominal and lumbar acupoints (such as Shenque and Guanyuan), thereby enhancing body flexibility.
The study recruited 60 overweight adults (BMI >28) from Beijing and Suzhou, randomly dividing them into two groups: one practiced Baduanjin 4 times a week for 8 weeks, while the other received no additional exercise. Using an infrared thermography device (similar to a "body temperature camera"), researchers measured temperature changes at abdominal and lumbar acupoints. They also evaluated waist mobility through forward bending, backward extension, and lateral flexion tests.
Read more
After 8 weeks, the Baduanjin group showed three significant improvements compared to the control group:
Enhanced flexibility: Waist and hip range of motion increased, such as reaching further during sit-and-reach tests.
Higher acupoint temperature: Skin temperature around Shenque, Guanyuan, and other acupoints rose, possibly indicating improved local blood circulation.
Better functional scores: Scores reflecting daily activity comfort and joint health significantly improved, while the control group showed no change.
In conclusion, Baduanjin may benefit obese individuals by "activating" abdominal and lumbar acupoints to optimize muscle function and mobility. Further research is needed to validate the underlying mechanisms.
- Conditions
- Obesity and Overweight
- Being tested
- The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Overweight
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nationBehavioural
The Baduanjin group received training guided by national-level social sports instructors certified by the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China. The intervention consisted of Baduanjin training 4 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with a total duration (including warm-up and breaks) of ≥30 minutes per session. The training protocol included 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise, a 2-minute break, and an additional 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| The Baduanjin group | Experimental | The Baduanjin group received training guided by national-level social sports instructors certified by the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China. The intervention consisted of Baduanjin training 4 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with a total duration (including warm-up and breaks) of ≥30 minutes per session. The training protocol included 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise, a 2-minute break, and an additional 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise. Receives: Behavioral: The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation |
| The blank control group | No intervention | The blank control group received no exercise intervention and was advised to engage in no more than 3 sessions of aerobic exercise per week during the study. Participants in the Baduanjin group were prohibited from undertaking any other form of exercise training throughout the research period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Infrared Thermography
Used for detecting human body surface temperature
Measured: 10min
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2025
- Study start25 Oct 2023
- Primary completion25 Nov 2023
- Study completion10 Jan 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Obesity and OverweightStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 58 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rui Li, Chengdu Sport University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07035639
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2018NO.03-2024NO.04
- Status last verified
- Sep 2022
- First submitted
- 16 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Unpublished IPD may contain measurement errors, missing records, or supplementary data that failed ethical review, and direct sharing could lead to deviations in secondary analysis conclusions.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exploring the Role of Baduanjin on Lumbar and Hip Mobility Index in Obese People Based on Infrared Thermography and Meridian Point Specificity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07035639
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2018NO.03-2024NO.04
- Conditions
- Obesity and Overweight
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 58 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Nov 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jan 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aimed to explore whether Baduanjin, a traditional fitness practice, can improve waist and hip mobility in obese individuals. Based on the TCM theory that "acupoints have unique effects," researchers hypothesized that Baduanjin might regulate muscle function by stimulating key abdominal and lumbar acupoints (such as Shenque and Guanyuan), thereby enhancing body flexibility.
The study recruited 60 overweight adults (BMI >28) from Beijing and Suzhou, randomly dividing them into two groups: one practiced Baduanjin 4 times a week for 8 weeks, while the other received no additional exercise. Using an infrared thermography device (similar to a "body temperature camera"), researchers measured temperature changes at abdominal and lumbar acupoints. They also evaluated waist mobility through forward bending, backward extension, and lateral flexion tests.
After 8 weeks, the Baduanjin group showed three significant improvements compared to the control group:
Enhanced flexibility: Waist and hip range of motion increased, such as reaching further during sit-and-reach tests.
Higher acupoint temperature: Skin temperature around Shenque, Guanyuan, and other acupoints rose, possibly indicating improved local blood circulation.
Better functional scores: Scores reflecting daily activity comfort and joint health significantly improved, while the control group showed no change.
In conclusion, Baduanjin may benefit obese individuals by "activating" abdominal and lumbar acupoints to optimize muscle function and mobility. Further research is needed to validate the underlying mechanisms.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| The Baduanjin group | Experimental | Behavioral: The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nationThe Baduanjin group received training guided by national-level social sports instructors certified by the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China. The intervention consisted of Baduanjin training 4 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with a total duration (including warm-up and breaks) of ≥30 minutes per session. The training protocol included 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise, a 2-minute break, and an additional 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise. |
| The blank control group | No intervention | –The blank control group received no exercise intervention and was advised to engage in no more than 3 sessions of aerobic exercise per week during the study. Participants in the Baduanjin group were prohibited from undertaking any other form of exercise training throughout the research period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Participants with scores of 72 or above on the HEFESCM-36 scale of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, and meeting the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 60 years; Able to independently participate in activities required for the physical study; Body mass index (BMI) >28; No musculoskeletal diseases or radiculopathy within one year prior to the trial; No receipt of physical therapy or surgical treatment within one year prior to the trial; Education level of high school or above; Proficient in using the WeChat check-in program; No mental illnesses and with normal learning and communication abilities; Agree to and voluntarily sign the informed consent form for trial participation.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants with confirmed specific etiologies, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar fracture, etc.; Individuals with 神经根 compression symptoms, such as sciatica, lumbar disc herniation, etc.; Cases with bacterial or aseptic inflammatory diseases, such as fever, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.; Subjects with other organ pathologies, such as kidney stones, typhlitis, appendicitis, etc.; Pregnant women; Individuals taking medications for mental disorders; Participants engaging in aerobic exercise >3 times/week or anaerobic exercise >4 times/week.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nationThe Baduanjin group received training guided by national-level social sports instructors certified by the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China. The intervention consisted of Baduanjin training 4 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with a total duration (including warm-up and breaks) of ≥30 minutes per session. The training protocol included 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise, a 2-minute break, and an additional 16 minutes of Baduanjin exercise. | Behavioural | The Baduanjin group |
Primary outcome
Infrared Thermography
Time frame: 10min
Used for detecting human body surface temperature
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jun 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Unpublished IPD may contain measurement errors, missing records, or supplementary data that failed ethical review, and direct sharing could lead to deviations in secondary analysis conclusions.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing The Baduanjin intervention was designed following traditional Chinese health preservation principles and conducted under the guidance of certified instructors. The training sessions were led by nation in people with Obesity and Overweight, run by Chengdu Sport University at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Infrared Thermography (time frame: 10min). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Jun 2025.