Qigong Forms: Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) and Others

What qigong forms are

Qigong is a family of Chinese exercise traditions that join movement or posture, breathing and focused attention. NCCIH says it was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. [1] It separates dynamic (active) qigong, which focuses mainly on body movement, from meditative (passive) qigong, which is practiced in a posture that can be held over time. [1] Tai chi is one of the hundreds of qigong forms developed in China. [1] NCCIH names other forms: Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Hu Yue Xian, Yijin Jing and medical qigong. [1] See the overview at Qigong and how it differs from tai chi at tai chi vs qigong. "Qi" and related ideas are traditional frameworks, not measured biology: TCM qi claims checked.

Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade)

A systematic review of knee osteoarthritis describes Baduanjin as a Chinese low-intensity aerobic exercise of eight movements, and says it originated in the Song dynasty and has a history of more than 1,000 years. [2] It is the best-studied named qigong form in the reviews we read.

The names and the step-by-step positions of the eight movements: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read (searched PubMed and NCCIH for a description of the individual movements). For safety this page gives no movement instructions; learn from a qualified teacher. Forms differ between schools.

Other named forms

Liuzijue, Wuqinxi and Yijin Jing are named in a 2024 network meta-analysis of five traditional Chinese exercises for balance in older adults (46 trials, 3,333 people). [3] Liuzijue significantly improved the Timed Up and Go test; Baduanjin, Wuqinxi and Yijin Jing showed effects on the Berg Balance Scale. [3] We found no form-by-form comparison strong enough to say one is better, so treat rankings in such analyses cautiously. Forms may be adapted: one team found that Eight-Section Brocades and Yijin Jing have routine movements too difficult for frail elders, so developed a novel protocol; it was a preliminary study. [4]

What trials of Baduanjin found

1. Knee osteoarthritis

   Promising but limited

   Review of 7 trials (424 people): the authors said existing weak evidence suggests it may help, and only 3 studies (43%) had adequate randomization, concealment, blinded assessment and handling of dropouts. [2]

2. High blood pressure

   Promising but limited

   Review of 28 trials: reported a drop of 9.3 mmHg systolic and 6.3 mmHg diastolic, but noted professional health organizations do not currently recommend Baduanjin to treat hypertension. [5]

3. Sarcopenia in older adults

   Single trial; insufficient evidence to generalize

   A 24-week trial of 90 people aged 60 to 77 compared Baduanjin with resistance training under supervision. [6]

4. Balance

   Promising but limited

   Network meta-analysis found effects on the Berg Balance Scale. [3]

Most trials of movement practices cannot hide the intervention from participants, and many use waitlist or health-education comparisons, which can inflate benefit. See how to read a yoga or movement study. For blood pressure and pain evidence in detail see qigong for pain, blood pressure and fatigue.