{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T05:52:05Z","timestamp":1785909125341,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785888000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Neurol."],"abstract":"\n Background<\/jats:title>\n Post-stroke cognitive impairment is common and negatively affects functional recovery and quality of life. Qigong is widely used in stroke rehabilitation, but its effects on cognitive outcomes remain uncertain.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objectives<\/jats:title>\n 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\u2013type exercises).<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n \n 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). We included randomized controlled trials in people after stroke that compared qigong with control conditions, including the same usual rehabilitation alone, health education, sham exercise, or other non-qigong interventions. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The primary outcome was cognitive function measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; the Mini-Mental State Examination was a supplementary outcome. Post-intervention mean and standard deviation values were preferentially extracted, and standard deviations were derived from standard errors when needed. Meta-analyses were performed in Review Manager 5.4.1 using mean differences with 95% confidence intervals under a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using\n I<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n , with subgroup analyses by qigong type and sensitivity analyses to explore heterogeneity.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n \n Sixteen RCTs were included; 14 reported MoCA and 2 reported MMSE. Qigong improved MoCA versus control (random-effects model: MD\u202f=\u202f1.87, 95% CI 1.33\u20132.40;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f&lt;\u202f0.00001;\n I<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u202f=\u202f67%). Benefits were significant for Baduanjin (MD\u202f=\u202f2.19, 95% CI 1.42\u20132.95) and Liuzijue (MD\u202f=\u202f1.68, 95% CI 0.82\u20132.53), but not for Yijinjing (MD\u202f=\u202f1.55, 95% CI\u202f\u2212\u202f0.28\u20133.38;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.10); between-subgroup differences were not significant (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.63). Two RCTs reported MMSE with improvement but high heterogeneity (MD\u202f=\u202f5.82, 95% CI 2.53\u20139.12;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.0005;\n I<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u202f=\u202f89%).\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n Current evidence suggests that qigong improves cognitive function after stroke, with a significant increase in MoCA scores overall. 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. Further well-designed clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings and clarify effects across qigong types and outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Systematic review registration<\/jats:title>\n \n Registered in\n PROSPERO<\/jats:ext-link>\n (CRD420261320472).\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2026.1886327","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T05:38:24Z","timestamp":1785908304000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Effects of qigong exercise on post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Chengning","family":"Song","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Huanxin","family":"Xie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haiyan","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bo","family":"Lei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bin","family":"Luo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Weijuan","family":"Gu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Huimin","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yanxian","family":"Zou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Fuyong People\u2019s Hospital","place":["Shenzhen, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e291","DOI":"10.1161\/STR.0000000000000430","article-title":"Cognitive impairment after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association\/American Stroke Association","volume":"54","author":"El 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Neurol"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.4278\/ajhp.081013-LIT-248","article-title":"A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and tai chi","volume":"24","author":"Jahnke","year":"2010","journal-title":"Am J Health Promot"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4783915","DOI":"10.1155\/2020\/4783915","article-title":"Characteristics of clinical studies on Baduanjin during 2000\u20132019: a comprehensive review","volume":"2020","author":"Zhou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Evid Based Complement Alternat Med"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"308","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-020-03104-1","article-title":"A systematic review and meta-analysis of Liuzijue in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease","volume":"20","author":"Xiao","year":"2020","journal-title":"BMC Complement Med 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with post-stroke spastic dysarthria","volume":"29","author":"Xia","year":"2023","journal-title":"Med Sci Monit"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1441858","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2024.1441858","article-title":"Effects of Yi Jin Jing on enhancing muscle strength and physical performance in older individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Med"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S239","DOI":"10.1044\/1092-4388(2008\/018)","article-title":"Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity: implications for rehabilitation after brain damage","volume":"51","author":"Kleim","year":"2008","journal-title":"J Speech Lang Hear Res"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smhs.2020.03.001","article-title":"Effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a literature review of human experimental 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Yi"},{"key":"ref23","volume-title":"Randomized Controlled Study on the Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Cognitive Function in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Zheng","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref24","volume-title":"Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Motor Function in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Xiong","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref25","first-page":"322","article-title":"Clinical observation of modified Baduanjin combined with scalp and body acupuncture in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment after stroke","volume":"29","author":"Yu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Zhongguo Zhongyiyao Keji"},{"key":"ref26","volume-title":"Effects of Modified Yijinjing on Cognitive Function and Fall Self-Efficacy in Patients After Stroke [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Jin","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref27","volume-title":"Effects of Modified Yijinjing on Cognitive and Sleep Function in Elderly Patients After Stroke [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Xue","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref28","volume-title":"Effects of Group Training with Modified Yijinjing on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Stroke Convalescence Patients with Cognitive Impairment [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Zhang","year":"2019"},{"key":"ref29","first-page":"36","article-title":"Effects of Chaoyuanfang Daoyin exercise combined with conventional rehabilitation training on motor and cognitive function in stroke patients","volume":"44","author":"Qi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Hubei Zhongyi Zazhi"},{"key":"ref30","first-page":"133","article-title":"Effects of Chaoyuanfang Daoyin exercise combined with conventional rehabilitation training on motor and cognitive function in stroke patients","volume":"35","author":"Lin","year":"2022","journal-title":"Xibu Zhongyiyao"},{"key":"ref31","volume-title":"Rehabilitation Effects of Health Qigong Liuzijue in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Yu","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref32","first-page":"742","article-title":"Effects of scalp acupuncture combined with Liuzijue on cognitive function, event-related potential P300, and serum NPAS4 levels in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment","volume":"22","author":"Song","year":"2025","journal-title":"Jianyan Yixue Yu Linchuang"},{"key":"ref33","first-page":"652","article-title":"Effects of modified Liuzijue combined with governor vessel electroacupuncture on acoustic parameters, speech intelligibility, and cognitive level in patients with post-stroke dysarthria","volume":"24","author":"Ren","year":"2025","journal-title":"Linchuang He Shiyan Yixue Zazhi"},{"key":"ref34","first-page":"156","article-title":"Value of modified Liuzijue combined with executive function training in the treatment of post-stroke dysarthria and cognitive impairment","volume":"24","author":"Zhuang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Linchuang He Shiyan Yixue Zazhi."},{"key":"ref35","first-page":"119","article-title":"Effects of Liuzijue on cognitive function and blood lipid levels in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment","volume":"31","author":"Liu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Zhongguo Liaoyang Yixue"},{"key":"ref36","first-page":"81","article-title":"Effects of Liuzijue on daytime sleepiness and cognitive function in stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome","volume":"26","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Guangxi Zhongyiyao Daxue Xuebao"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Neurology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1886327\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T05:38:27Z","timestamp":1785908307000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1886327\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"references-count":36,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fneur.2026.1886327"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1886327","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-2295"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-2295","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"article-number":"1886327"}}