Studying Baduanjin Qigong: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Future Prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69665/iss.v47i2.98Keywords:
good health and well-being, quality education, qigong, gender equality, Health, psychological well-beingAbstract
Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, has gained increasing scholarly attention for its post-COVID-19 health benefits. This study presents a bibliometric analysis to map research trends, identify influential contributors, and highlight future directions in Baduanjin research. The analysis is based on Scopus-indexed publications from 1982 to 2025, with a total of 525 documents included. The field has expanded rapidly since 2015, with a notable surge after 2021. Zheng G is identified as the most productive author, while Medicine (United States) emerges as the leading publication source. China remains the dominant contributor and central hub of collaboration, particularly with the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Key research hotspots include mental health and well-being, rehabilitation and chronic diseases, traditional Chinese medicine and holistic health, ageing and physical function, and pulmonary rehabilitation. The conceptual structure map reveals Baduanjin’s multidisciplinary nature, integrating mental, physical, and therapeutic dimensions. Future research should enhance international collaboration, standardise methodologies, expand its scope among young adults and women, and further explore its role in preventative healthcare and education.
Downloads
References
Aromataris, E., & Riitano, D. (2014). Systematic reviews: Constructing a search strategy and searching for evidence. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 114(5), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000446779.99522.f6
Arruda, H., Silva, E. R., Lessa Jr, D. P., & Bartholo, R. (2022). VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 110(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1434
Bailey, R. P., & Samsudin, N. (2025). Martial Arts and the problem of definition. Philosophies, 10(3), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10030055
Carcassi, F., & Sbardolini, G. (2023). Assertion, denial, and the evolution of Boolean operators. Mind & Language, 38(5), 1187–1207. https://doi.org/10.1111/mila.12448
Choudhri, A. F., Siddiqui, A., Khan, N. R., & Cohen, H. L. (2015). Understanding bibliometric parameters and analysis. RadioGraphics, 35(3), 736–746. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2015140036
Chen, Y., Tang, Y., & Zhou, Z. (2024). The effects of Tai Chi and Baduanjin on breast cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Frontiers in Oncology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1434087
Chen, X., Jiang, W., Salazar, M., Zhu, H., Wen, Z., Chen, X., & Lundborg, C. S. (2023). Traditional Baduanjin exercise through the eyes of patients with chronic heart failure: A qualitative content analysis study. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.1049036
Eck, N. van, & Waltman, L. (2009). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer programme for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
Gao, H., Li, X., Wei, H., Shao, X., Tan, Z., Lv, S., Pan, L., Yu, T., Ye, Q., Zhang, H., & Zhu, X. (2024). Efficacy of Baduanjin for obesity and overweight: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1338094. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1338094
Guan, C., Gu, Y., Cheng, Z., Xie, F., & Yao, F. (2023). Global trends of traditional Chinese exercises for musculoskeletal disorders treatment research from 2000 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1096789
Huang, Y., Xu, X., Chaurasiya, B. K., Bizimana, P., Qian, M.-J., & Ntawuyamara, E. (2024). Effects and safety of the traditional Chinese exercise Baduanjin on depression and anxiety in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 86, 103094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103094
Husaeni, D. N. A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of research development in sports science with VOSviewer. ASEAN Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 2(1), Article 1. https://ejournal.bumipublikasinusantara.id/index.php/ajopess/article/view/194
İri, R., & Ünal, E. (2024). Bibliometric analysis of research (1980-2023). Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 10(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.31592/aeusbed.1446738
Jakobovic, D., Picek, S., Martins, M. S. R., & Wagner, M. (2021). Toward more efficient heuristic construction of Boolean functions. Applied Soft Computing, 107, 107327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107327
Jiang, W., An, B., Liu, S., Xue, C., Niu, C., Qiu, J., Hu, Q., Wang, Y., Chen, L., & Wang, L. (2024). Baduanjin is better balance training compared to walking: A cross-sectional study based on center of gravity trajectories. Cureus, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.54620
Khatra, O., Shadgan, A., Taunton, J., Pakravan, A., & Shadgan, B. (2021). A bibliometric analysis of the top cited articles in sports and exercise medicine. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(1), 2325967120969902. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967120969902
Kirby, A. (2023). Exploratory bibliometrics: Using VOSviewer as a preliminary research tool. Publications, 11(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications11010010
Li, X., Li, Z., & Wang, H. (2024). Bibliometric analysis of traditional Chinese exercises in stroke rehabilitation from 2003 to 2022 using CiteSpace. Frontiers in Neurology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1260643
Liu, H., Luo, Y., Zhang, J., Hu, Y., He, H., Li, J., Mao, H., & Fu, S. (2024). A literature review of Chinese traditional Baduanjin qigong for perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms. Medicine, 103(44), e40235. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000040235
Li, R., Jin, L., Hong, P., He, Z.-H., Huang, C.Y., Zhao, J.X., Wang, M., & Tian, Y. (2014). The effect of Baduanjin on promoting the physical fitness and health of adults. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2014, 784059. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/784059
Maridueña, I. A. L., Muñoz, P. R. A., López, C. M. C., Cordova, S. D. R., Vinueza, V. J. C., & Valenzuela, A. M. A. (2024). Bibliometric analysis of research on heuristic method, research skills and teaching practice in higher education: A perspective from online and blended learning based on Scopus database 2013- 2023. Evolutionary Studies In Imaginative Culture, 788–803. https://doi.org/10.70082/esiculture.vi.912
McGee, R. W. (2020). Ba Duan Jin As a Treatment for Physical Ailments: A Bibliography of Recent Medical Research (The Economics of Qigong Series, No. 3). SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3685571
Moral-Muñoz, J. A., Herrera-Viedma, E., Santisteban-Espejo, A., & Cobo, M. J. (2020). Software tools for conducting bibliometric analysis in science: An up-to-date review. Profesional de La Información, 29(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2020.ene.03
Nizaruddin, Sutrisno, & Murtianto, Y. H. (2024). A bibliometric analysis of productive thinking using biblioshiny software. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3046(1), 020057. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0194953
Oliveira, O. J. de, Silva, F. F. da, Juliani, F., Barbosa, L. C. F. M., & Nunhes, T. V. (2019). Bibliometric method for mapping the state-of-the-art and identifying research gaps and trends in literature: An essential instrument to support the development of scientific projects. In Scientometrics: Recent Advances. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85856
Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: The main steps. Encyclopedia, 4(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065
Reitinger, J., Jain, S. F., & Suh, D. (2021). Significant increase in non-COVID-19 related ophthalmology publications during the COVID-19 era: Is this a new normal? Eye, 35(4), 1041–1042. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-020-01220-3
Shen, Y.-Z., Chen, F., Yu, J.-W., Zhang, Y., Lu, L.-X., Huo, Y.-L., Chu, S.-T., Cao, B., & Tang, L.-W. (2024). Review of Baduanjin and resistance exercise for the mental health of patients with hematologic malignancies. World Journal of Psychiatry, 14(8), 1165–1173. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v14.i8.1165
Sun, C., Qi, B., Huang, X., Chen, M., Jin, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhu, L., & Wei, X. (2022). Baduanjin exercise: A potential promising therapy toward osteoporosis. Frontiers in Medicine, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.935961
Tan, T.-Y., Cao, B.-Y., Liang, W.-M., Lou, S., Han, Z., Ji, Y.-X., & Xiao, J. (2024). The superiority trial of Baduanjin training on chronic low back pain patients: A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 383. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04649-1
Tomaszewski, R. (2023). Visibility, impact, and applications of bibliometric software tools through citation analysis. Scientometrics, 128(7), 4007–4028. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-023-04725-2
Velasco-López, J.-E., Carrasco, R.-A., Cobo, M. J., & Fernández-Avilés, G. (2023). Data-driven scientific research based on public statistics: A bibliometric perspective. Profesional de La Información, 32(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2023.may.14
Vieira, E. S., & Gomes, J. A. N. F. (2009). A comparison of Scopus and Web of Science for a typical university. Scientometrics, 81(2), 587–600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-2178-0
Wallin, J. A. (2005). Bibliometric methods: pitfalls and possibilities. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 97(5), 261–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-7843.2005.pto_139.x
Wen, N., Zhao, F., Sun, S., Xiong, J., & Zheng, G. (2024). The effect of Baduanjin on college students' body mass and body composition: A randomised controlled trial. Medicine, 103(44), e40393. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000040393
Wen, X., Cui, W., Chen, H., Liu, F., Shao, Y., & You, F. (2024). Cross-border Integration and innovation of traditional Chinese exercises and digital media technology: The case of Baduanjin. Human Factors in Communication of Design, 136(136). https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004978
Lei, X., & Yu, H. (2012). A bibliometric analysis on China sport science(2001-2010) Based on CSSCI Literature. Physics Procedia, 33, 2045–2054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2012.05.322
Zakaria, R., Ahmi, A., Ahmad, A. H., & Othman, Z. (2020). Worldwide melatonin research: A bibliometric analysis of the published literature between 2015 and 2019. Chronobiology International, 38(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2020.1838534
Zhang, H., & Bayasgalan, Z. (2024). The long-term intervention effect and persistence analysis of the baduanjin mental sub-health of college students. International Journal of Educational Teaching and Research, 1(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.70767/ijetr.v1i2.204
Zhang, J., Xie, X., Zhao, M., & Liu, W. (2024). The influential role of Baduanjin on the mental health of medical students: A review. International Journal of Public Health and Medical Research, 2(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v2n2.02
Zhang, Y., & Jiang, X. (2023). The effect of Baduanjin exercise on college students' physical and mental health: A randomised controlled trial. Medicine, 102(34), e34897. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000034897
Zhang, F., Zhang, Y., Yu, Y., Lu, W., & Zhang, H. (2022). Bibliometric analysis of the top-50 cited articles on COVID-19 and physical activity. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.926244
Zhao, T. (2024). The effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review based on near-infrared spectroscopy technology. Journal of Food Science, Nutrition and Health, 2, 5–12. https://doi.org/10.54254/3029-0821/2/2024009
Zhao, X., Nan, K., & Xing, T. (2024). The effects of Baduanjin exercise on female college students' physical fitness and mental health. Physical Education of Students, 28(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2024.0301
Zheng, G., Chen, B., Fang, Q., Lin, Q., Tao, J., & Chen, L. (2019). Baduanjin exercise intervention for community adults at risk of ischemic stroke: A randomised controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37544-0
Zhou, J., Hu, S., Zhang, X., Xia, C., Wan, S., Yang, X., Yu, Y., Chen, H., & Chen, H. (2024). Efficacy of Qigong Baduanjin on nutritional status and quality of life in patients on haemodialysis: Study protocol for a prospective randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 14(8), e082518. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082518
Zhou, J., Yu, Y., Cao, B., Li, X., Wu, M., Wen, T., Xiong, Y., Jia, J., & Zhao, Y. (2020). Characteristic of clinical studies on Baduanjin during 2000–2019: A comprehensive review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020(1), 4783915. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4783915
Zou, H., Lin, X., Duan, T., Zheng, J., & Xiao, H. (2024). Simple sitting Baduanjin mind-body exercise: Randomised controlled trial protocol for advanced cancer patients with the fatigue-sleep disturbance symptom cluster. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 348. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04652-6
Zou, L., Pan, Z., Yeung, A., Talwar, S., Wang, C., Liu, Y., … Thomas, G. A. (2018). A review study on the beneficial effects of Baduanjin. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(4), 324–335. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0241
Zou, L., Sasaki, J. E., Wang, H., Xiao, Z., Fang, Q., & Zhang, M. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of Baduanjin Qigong for health benefits: Randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017(1), 4548706. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4548706
