Qigong and mental health: research overview

Not medical advice. This page lists research about qigong and mental health. 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

28 (tagged with “Mental Health” as a major topic)

Years

2003–2026

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. Effectiveness of physical activity, mindfulness and mind-body therapies in improving mental health of university students: a systematic review of RCTS. — Journal of American college health : J of ACH, 2026 · DOISystematic Review
2. Effects of Health Qigong on quality of life, physical function, and mental health in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
3. Mind-body exercise for improving balance, aerobic capacity, walking ability, muscle strength, and mental health in patients with type 2 diabetes: a network meta-analysis. — Frontiers in endocrinology, 2026 · DOISystematic Review
4. Psychological health outcomes of traditional Chinese exercises in older adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. — PeerJ, 2026 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
5. Traditional Chinese Medicine based intervention for reducing sedentariness and improving psychological well-being in office workers: a feasibility randomized controlled trial. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
6. Comparative effects of Health Qigong and closed motor exercise on the physical and mental health of female drug rehabilitation participants: a randomized controlled trial. — BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
7. Effects of different Chinese traditional exercises on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2024 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
8. Effects of different Chinese traditional exercises on sleep quality and mental health of adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. — Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 2024 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
9. Effects of mind-body exercise on physical ability, mental health and quality of life in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2024 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
10. Effectiveness of Baduanjin (a Type of Qigong) on Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review. — Advances in mind-body medicine, 2023Review
11. The effect of Baduanjin exercise on the physical and mental health of college students: A randomized controlled trial. — Medicine, 2023 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
12. Effect of Positive Rumination-Based Sports Prescription on the Mental Health of Teenagers. — Psychiatria Danubina, 2022 · DOI
13. Effects of traditional Chinese exercises on mental health in individuals with drug rehabilitee: A systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2022 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
14. The Health Promoting Mindfulness or Qigong Educational Programs for Beneficial Lifestyle Changes of Cancer Survivors. — Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education, 2020 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
15. Effect of a Qigong Intervention on Telomerase Activity and Mental Health in Chinese Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Randomized Clinical Trial. — JAMA network open, 2019 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
16. Physical and Psychological Health Outcomes of Qigong Exercise in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. — The American journal of Chinese medicine, 2019 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
17. The effect of Baduanjin qigong combined with CBT on physical fitness and psychological health of elderly housebound. — Medicine, 2018 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
18. The effect of Imaginary Working Qigong on the psychological well-being of college students: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. — Medicine, 2018 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
19. The effect of Three-Circle Post Standing (Zhanzhuang) Qigong on the physical and psychological well-being of college students: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. — Medicine, 2018 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
20. Study protocol on comparative effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and qigong on psychophysiological outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial. — BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2017 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
21. Effects of Qigong Exercise on Biomarkers and Mental and Physical Health in Adults With at Least One Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease. — Biological research for nursing, 2016 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
22. Effects of Baduanjin on mental health: a comprehensive review. — Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 2015 · DOIReview
23. The Effect of Chinese Traditional Exercise-Baduanjin on Physical and Psychological Well-Being of College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. — PloS one, 2015 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
24. The effect of Baduanjin exercise for physical and psychological wellbeing of college students: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. — Trials, 2013 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
25. Effects of scheduled qigong exercise on pupils' well-being, self-image, distress, and stress. — Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 2010 · DOIClinical Trial
26. Yoga and qigong in the psychological prevention of mental health disorders: a conceptual synthesis. — Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 2010 · DOIReview
27. Biopsychosocial effects of qigong as a mindful exercise for people with anxiety disorders: a speculative review. — Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 2007Review
28. The effect of Qigong on general and psychosocial health of elderly with chronic physical illnesses: a randomized clinical trial. — International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 2003Clinical TrialRandomized Controlled Trial

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.