Qigong and cognition: research overview

Not medical advice. This page lists research about qigong and cognition. It does not say whether qigong works for any person or condition. Talk to a qualified health professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have a medical condition.

Studies in PubMed

24 (tagged with “Cognition” as a major topic)

Years

2012–2026

Registered trials

0 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Types of studies

Each study is counted once, under its strongest type in this order: meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, clinical trial, review, observational study.

Studies, newest first

1. Comparative Effects of Traditional Chinese Mind - Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. — Experimental aging research, 2026 · DOISystematic Review
2. Effectiveness of qigong on subjective cognitive function in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
3. Effects of different exercise interventions on cognitive function in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. — Acta psychologica, 2026 · DOISystematic Review
4. Effects of mind-body health qigong exercise on depression severity and cognitive function in older adults at a senior care center: a randomized controlled trial. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
5. Effects of qigong and resistance exercise on improving balance and cognitive ability of community-dwelling older adults. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOI
6. The effects of traditional mind-body exercises on cognitive function in neurodegenerative diseases or prodromal cognitive decline: a meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
7. A Meta-Analysis of Studies of the Effect of Mind Body Exercise on Various Domains of Cognitive Function in Older People With or Without Mild Cognitive Impairment. — Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine, 2025 · DOIMeta-Analysis
8. Comparing Tai Chi, Baduanjin, square dance, and Latin dance for cognitive and physical benefits in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. — European geriatric medicine, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
9. Effects of Baduanjin on cognitive performance and upper limb function in patients receiving chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial. — Complementary therapies in medicine, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
10. Effects of Sitting Baduanjin Exercises on Cognitive Function, Attention, and Muscle Strength among Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. — Journal of community health nursing, 2025 · DOI
11. Effects of exercise interventions on cognition, physical function and quality of life among older adults with cognitive frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.), 2025 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
12. Impact of exercise training on cognitive function in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. — European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society, 2025 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
13. Improving cognitive function in older adults through mind-body Qigong exercise at senior daycare centers: The role of sleep as a moderator and mediator. — Explore (New York, N.Y.), 2025 · DOI
14. Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOISystematic Review
15. Effect of 12-week head-down strong abdominal breathing on cognitive function in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a single-centre randomised controlled trial protocol. — Trials, 2024 · DOI
16. Measurement of Cognitive Function in Exercise Oncology Studies in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy: A Scoping Review. — Integrative cancer therapies, 2024 · DOI
17. Mediating role of gut microbiota on Baduanjin for cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. — BMJ open, 2024 · DOI
18. Effects of Meditation and Mind-Body Exercises on Older Adults' Cognitive Performance: A Meta-analysis. — The Gerontologist, 2019 · DOIMeta-Analysis
19. Impact of mind-body interventions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. — International psychogeriatrics, 2019 · DOISystematic Review
20. Mind-body exercise improves cognitive function and modulates the function and structure of the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex in patients with mild cognitive impairment. — NeuroImage. Clinical, 2019 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
21. Qigong intervention for breast cancer survivors with complaints of decreased cognitive function. — Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2019 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
22. Effect of Qigong exercise on cognitive function, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy middle-aged subjects. — Complementary therapies in medicine, 2017 · DOIClinical Trial
23. Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin practice modulates functional connectivity of the cognitive control network in older adults. — Scientific reports, 2017 · DOI
24. Cognitive changes in multiethnic Asian breast cancer patients: a focus group study. — Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology, 2012 · DOI

Government health information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes the evidence on qigong.

Study list: PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), citation data only. Trials: ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Data: PubMed (NLM citation data, free to use (abstracts not reproduced)); ClinicalTrials.gov (Public domain (U.S. Government work)); NCCIH (Public domain (U.S. Government work)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.