Effects of Baduanjin on Cognitive Performance and Upper Limb Function in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives The aim of this study was to to examine the effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive performance and upper limb function in patients receiving chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery.Design12-week, two-arm, randomized controlled trial.SettingThree affiliated hospitals of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants Seventy women aged 40–75 years after breast cancer surgery and scheduled for chemotherapy were recruited and randomized to either a 12-week Baduanjin exercise intervention or a control group. Intervention The intervention group underwent 12 weeks of Baduanjin exercise.Outcome measuresParticipants completed self-reported cognitive assessments (FACT-Cog), objective neuropsychological tests (RAVLT, TMT, DSST) and Constant-Murley Score (CMS) at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3). Results Compared to the control group, the Baduanjin group showed significant improvements in total FACT-Cog scores (F = 17.710, p < 0.001), perceived cognitive impairment (F = 20.085, p < 0.001), and perceived cognitive ability (F = 5.116, p = 0.027). A statistically significant group effect was observed in AVLT6 (F = 13.862, p < 0.001). Correlations between PCA and AVLT6 (0.396, 95% CI: -0.01–0.44) and PCI and AVLT6 (0.332, 95% CI: -0.003–0.011) were significant. In addition, significant differences between the two groups were observed in shoulder function scores (95% CI 1.09 to 5.59; p=0.004) and ROM (95% CI 0.87 to 3.98; p=0.002). Conclusion Baduanjin may improve subjective cognitive complaints and shoulder function in patients receiving chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery. However, objective cognitive changes require further investigation. Larger trials are needed to validate these findings.