Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of…

Meta-analysisFrontiers in neurology· 2026

Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Chengning Song, Huanxin Xie, Haiyan Li … Yanxian Zou

Stroke RehabilitationMeta-analysisQ2IF 3.1

Qigong improves cognition after stroke, with Baduanjin and Liuzijue showing benefit

Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Chengning Song … Yanxian Zou

Frontiers in neurology · 2026

Background

Post-stroke cognitive impairment is common and negatively affects functional recovery and quality of life.

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of qigong exercise on cognitive function after stroke and to explore whether effects vary across qigong types (Baduanjin, Yijinjing, Liuzijue, and Dao-yin-type exercises).

Methods

We systematically searched seven databases from inception to January 2026: PubMed (87 records), Embase (112), Web of Science (106), the Cochrane Library (82), CNKI (224), Wanfang (230), and VIP (147).

n = 87 records

Results

MoCA scores rose with qigong, better cognition than control

MD by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Benefits were significant for Baduanjin (MD = 2.19, 95% CI 1.42-2.95) and Liuzijue (MD = 1.68, 95% CI 0.82-2.53), but not for Yijinjing (MD = 1.55, 95% CI - 0.28-3.38; p = 0.10); between-subgroup differences were not significant ( p = 0.63).

More results

Two RCTs reported MMSE with improvement but high heterogeneity (MD = 5.82, 95% CI 2.53-9.12; p = 0.0005; I 2 = 89%).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Current evidence suggests that qigong improves cognitive function after stroke, with a significant increase in MoCA scores overall.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Benefits were observed for Baduanjin and Liuzijue, whereas Yijinjing showed no statistically significant improvement. Two Dao-yin trials reported improved MMSE but with substantial heterogeneity.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Further well-designed clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings and clarify effects across qigong types and outcomes.

Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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