Quantitative Evidence of the effect of Baduanjin exercise on quality of life and cardiac function in adults with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of Baduanjin exercise on the quality of life (QoL), cardiac function, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: A systematic search of relevant literature published from inception until February 2023 was performed in the Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of Baduanjin exercise on QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLHFQ]), cardiac function (N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-Pro BNP] and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]), and VO2max in patients with CHF. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (1180 participants) were included in this analysis. The synthesized results suggested that Baduanjin exercise contributed to significant improvements in the MLHFQ scores (standard mean difference [SMD] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81 to 1.39, p < 0.001), NT-Pro BNP levels (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.93, p < 0.01), LVEF (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.88, p < 0.01), and VO2max (SMD = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.60, p < 0.001) compared with the results of the control groups. Subgroup analyses revealed that engaging in Baduanjin exercise 5-7 times per week was more effective in improving the MLHFQ score compared with 3-4 times per week (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Evidence from the meta-analysis support the beneficial effects of Baduanjin exercise on the QoL, cardiac function, and VO2max in patients with CHFin China. For optimal QoL improvements, it is recommended to engage in Baduanjin exercise 5-7 times per week for 30-60 min, over a duration of at least 8 weeks. In terms of NT-Pro BNP, Baduanjin exercise sessions of 30-60 min, 2-7 times per week, for a minimum of 8 weeks are recommended.

Evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine fitness' effect on improving the health of adults' intestinal flora: An optical tool based on ultrasensitive bioluminescent imaging and applications.

The design of the probes is based on bioluminescence imaging, which has been widely adopted in studies of many important biological processes. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fitness could improve the state of health of adults' intestinal flora. The research aims at analyzing the impact of TCM fitness on the intestinal probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) and opportunistic pathogen (Enterococcus, Enterobacteriaceae) by the noninvasive imaging. In accordance with the searching results, the researchers have found that TCM fitness has a significant impact on improving Bifidobacterium (SDM = 1.55; P = 0.02) and Lactobacillus (SDM = 1.26; P <0.01), while the impact could not be seen on Enterococcus (SDM = 0.29;P = 0.68) and Enterobacteriaceae (SDM = 0.05;P = 0.94). And there is no significant difference between the two interventions of Tai Chi and Fitness Qigong. The results of the present review show that TCM fitness could significantly better the probiotics of intestinal flora while the influence on opportunistic pathogen needs to be further investigated with the precise and reasonable proof of scientific studies.The findings suggest that TCM fitness can be used as an effective intervention, and there is no significant difference between the two interventions on the improvement of the intestinal flora. The using of optical tool based on ultrasensitive bioluminescent imaging may lead to better precision medicine treatments in the future.