Ba Duan Jin exercise for chronic insomnia with anxiety

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

Not applicable Interventional Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing · NCT06969079

This study is testing whether practicing Ba Duan Jin, a traditional Chinese exercise, can help people with chronic insomnia and anxiety sleep better and feel less anxious compared to just getting sleep education.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment84 (estimated)
Ages8 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorXuanwu Hospital, Beijing Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing)
Trial IDNCT06969079 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of Ba Duan Jin, a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, in treating chronic insomnia (CI) accompanied by hyperarousal and anxiety symptoms. The study will recruit 84 participants diagnosed with CI, randomly assigning them to either a Ba Duan Jin plus Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) group or an SHE-only group. Over six weeks, participants in the Ba Duan Jin group will practice daily for 50 minutes, aiming to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. The trial seeks to explore alternative therapies that may alleviate the limitations of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 8 years and older diagnosed with insomnia disorder and experiencing anxiety symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with severe physical illnesses, major psychiatric disorders, or those currently undergoing psychological therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-pharmacological treatment option for patients suffering from chronic insomnia and anxiety.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have suggested that mind-body exercises like Ba Duan Jin can positively influence sleep patterns and psychological well-being, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with Insomnia Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
2. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score \> 5.
3. Age ≥ 8 years.
4. Educational level of at least junior high school.
5. Voluntarily agree to participate and sign informed consent.
6. Presence of anxiety symptoms, defined as a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-14) score ≥ 14.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of severe physical illnesses or major psychiatric disorders, or assessed to be at risk of suicide.
2. Diagnosis or suspicion of sleep breathing disorder, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, or engaged in night-shift work.
3. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
4. Currently undergoing any form of psychological therapy.

Where this trial is running

Beijing

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Mind-Body TherapiesInsomnia Chronic
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.