Baduanjin Exercise Prevents post-Myocardial Infarction Left Ventricular Remodeling (BE-PREMIER trial): Design and Rationale of a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) is an established prognostic factor for adverse cardiovascular events and the leading cause of heart failure. Empirical observations have suggested that Baduanjin exercise, an important component of traditional Chinese Qigong, may exert potential benefits on cardiopulmonary function. However, the impact of a Baduanjin exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program for patients recovering from a recent MI has yet to be assessed. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the potential role of Baduanjin exercise in preventing the maladaptive progression to adverse LV remodeling in patients post-MI. METHODS: A total of 110 clinically stable patients following an MI after undergoing successful infarct-related artery reperfusion will be randomly assigned to the Baduanjin exercise group or usual exercise control group. In addition to usual physical activity, participants in the Baduanjin exercise group will participate in a 45 min Baduanjin exercise training session twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The primary endpoint will be the percentage change in LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) assessed using echocardiography from baseline to 6 months. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide novel evidence on the efficacy of Baduanjin exercise therapy in post-MI patients in reversing adverse LV remodeling and improving clinical outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov: NCT02693795.

Effect of Baduanjin Sequential Therapy on the Quality of Life and Cardiac Function in Patients with AMI After PCI: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Baduanjin sequential therapy (BST) on the quality of life and cardiac function in patients with AMI after PCI. SUBJECTS: 96 patients with AMI after PCI were randomly assigned as subjects to two groups: BST group who received 24 weeks of BST training and control group who received no training. METHODS: The methods used in this study included the changes in SF-36 subscales, the measures of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), the body mass index (BMI), and the abdominal circumference. RESULTS: Of the 96 participants, 82 total patients completed the entire study. At 12 weeks, role physical and health transition of SF-36 were significantly different between the two groups, with a difference of 26.12 (95% CI, 11.59 to 40.64) in role physical and a difference of 15.94 (95% CI, 5.60 to 26.28) in health transition (p < 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in all aspects of SF-36 between the two groups at 24 weeks (p < 0.05). The BST also lowered abdominal circumference and BMI as compared with the control group. In the 24-week follow-up, a significant difference was found in the decline of the LVEF in the control group (p=0.020), while there was a nonsignificant difference in the BST group (p=0.552). Compared with the control group, the BST group reduced 50 pg/ml on the NT-pro-BNP at 24 weeks (p=0.013). The effects of BST exercise were maintained at 24 weeks after the intervention. No serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The BST appears to improve the quality of life in patients with AMI after PCI, with additional benefits of lowered abdominal circumference and BMI and improved level of cardiac function. This trial is registered with NCT02693795.

Seated-Baduanjin as an adjuvant rehabilitation treatment for dysfunctional ventilatory weaning response: A case report.

RATIONALE: Seated-Baduanjin as adjuvant rehabilitation treatment in a patient with Dysfunctional ventilatory weaning response(DVWR) is extremely rare, and we report a case of a patient's rehabilitation exercise who suffered from DVWR. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 62-year-old patient was admitted for dyspnea for more than a month after surgery. DIAGNOSES: On arrival, the patient was conscious but anxious, and he had difficulty breathing. When attempting to disconnect the ventilator, the patient's autonomous respiration > 25 times /min, and the heart rate > 120 times /min. He had to rely on the ventilator to survive. According to the characteristics of the patient, we considered the patient with DVWR. INTERVENTIONS: We provided the same essential treatment as the last hospital and performed the Seated-Baduanjin for the patient which was a new form of bed exercise, 2 times a day, 30 minutes each time. OUTCOMES: The patient showed a gradual improvement in breathing and muscle strength. LESSONS: In this case report, the Seated-Baduanjin showed a remarkable therapeutic effect on a patient and might be an adjuvant treatment for DVWR.