NCT06969079

Ba Duan Jin for CI With Hyperarousal/Anxiety

Effectiveness of Ba Duan Jin Exercise on Chronic Insomnia (CI) With Hyperarousal/Anxiety

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 84 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Ba Duan Jin exercise in treating chronic insomnia (CI) with comorbid hyperarousal and anxiety symptoms.

Detailed description

Chronic Insomnia (CI) is a common sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in initiating or maintaining sleep, leading to significant daytime dysfunction. Many CI patients experience hyperarousal, both physiological and psychological, commonly manifested as anxiety, which further exacerbates sleep disturbances and reduces quality of life. While pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective for some patients, they are limited by side effects, costs, and accessibility. Traditional mind-body practices such as Ba Duan Jin, a classic Chinese Qigong exercise, have been explored as alternative therapies to improve sleep quality and alleviate anxiety symptoms. Ba Duan Jin consists of a sequence of gentle and flowing movements designed to promote physical and mental relaxation. Preliminary studies suggest that mind-body exercises like Ba Duan Jin can positively influence sleep patterns, psychological well-being, and overall health. This randomized controlled trial will recruit 84 participants diagnosed with CI and comorbid hyperarousal/anxiety symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Ba Duan Jin plus Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) group or an SHE-only group. The intervention will last for 6 weeks, with participants in the Ba Duan Jin group practicing once daily for 50 minutes.

Conditions

• Mind-Body Therapies
• Insomnia Chronic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Ba Duan Jin Exercise plus Sleep Hygiene Education	Participants will receive Ba Duan Jin exercise combined with Sleep Hygiene Education. The Ba Duan Jin intervention consists of eight traditional Chinese Qigong movements performed daily for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 50 minutes, accompanied by structured sleep hygiene counseling.
BEHAVIORAL	Sleep Hygiene Education	Participants will receive Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) alone, consisting of guidance on establishing healthy sleep habits, optimizing sleep environment, adjusting sleep schedules, reducing stimulants (e.g., caffeine, alcohol), and minimizing sleep-disruptive behaviors.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-11-01
• Primary completion: 2025-10-01
• Completion: 2025-11-01
• First posted: 2025-05-13
• Last updated: 2025-05-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China