Effects of Health Qigong on quality of life, physical function, and mental health in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Does Health Qigong improve physical function, mental health, and quality of life in older adults, and do program parameters change the effect?

1,791 older adults across 22 randomized — what this means controlled trials

Systematic review — what this means and meta-analysis — what this means, seven databases searched through May 2025, with subgroup analyses by comparison group — what this means and dosing (frequency, program length, session length)

• 6-minute walk distance improved by 18.05 m (p = 0.03)
• Balance improved (SMD — what this means = 1.70, p = 0.004)
• Depressive symptoms decreased (SMD — what this means = -0.64, p = 0.004)
• Quality of life improved (SMD — what this means = 0.76, p = 0.03)
• No significant effect on activities of daily living
• Effects were generally similar to conventional exercise, except a possible edge for quality of life; ≥3 sessions/week, ≥12 weeks, and sessions under 60 min were associated with the largest gains in mood and QoL

Health Qigong appears to produce modest gains in walking capacity, balance, mood, and quality of life in older adults, broadly on par with conventional exercise, though ADL outcomes were unchanged.