Effects of Qigong vs. routine physical exercise in school-aged children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Li Y, He YC, Wang Y, He JW, Li MY, Wang WQ, Wu ZH, Xu YJ, He WN, Dou YL, Wang DL, Yan WL, Zhu DQ · World Journal of Pediatrics · 2025 March 10
DOI 10.1007/s12519-025-00890-x
Objective
To investigate the effects of Baduanjin exercise compared with routine physical exercise on symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in school-aged children.
Conclusions
This study did not demonstrate that 3-month Baduanjin exercise was superior to routine physical exercise for improving attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, although both types of exercise may improve core symptom scores.
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Insights
Traditional Chinese movement exercise improved attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms similarly to routine exercise, suggesting structured daily physical activity may be beneficial regardless of exercise type.
School-aged children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were randomly assigned to either Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, or routine physical exercise. Participants completed their assigned activity for at least thirty minutes daily on most weekdays over three months, with exercise quality monitored. Clinicians assessed changes in hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms using a standardized behavioural rating scale.
Both groups showed reductions in hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms after the intervention, but Baduanjin did not outperform routine physical exercise. No adverse events occurred, indicating that both exercise approaches were safe during the study period.
