Effects of Baduanjin on Essential Hypertension: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Clinical treatment of hypertension recommends the use of drugs to reduce the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases in hypertensive patients. However, the side effects of long-term medication and economic pressure have increased the medical community's interest in Baduanjin as a method of exercise therapy. Clinical studies have shown that Baduanjin can be used to treat various diseases, and it can also regulate physical and mental factors such as tension and anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of Baduanjin on patients with essential hypertension. Methods/design: In this study, 92 patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into the Baduanjin group and the routine care group, using a randomized, active control, evaluator blind method, and two parallel control methods, with 46 cases in each group, signed informed Subjects with the consent form will manage their blood pressure by limiting salt intake, losing weight, drinking moderately, exercising, and adjusting dietary intake during the first visit. In addition to self-management, the Baduanjin group will also conduct 30-minute Baduanjin training three times a week for a total of 8 weeks. The main result is the measurement of blood pressure. In addition, body composition will be measured as a secondary result.Discussion: This study is a randomized controlled Baduanjin trial and is not currently widely used. It may provide valuable data on the impact of Baduanjin on essential hypertension, which will inform non-drug treatment options for this disease.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registration Center, ChiCTR200003570. Register on August 16, 2020.