Key Finding
A scoping review of 78 RCTs found that Traditional Chinese Exercise practices — particularly Tai Chi and Baduanjin — show potential for improving fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes, though evidence remains inconsistent and further standardized research is needed.
If you or someone you love is managing type 2 diabetes (T2DM), you may have heard that exercise is one of the best tools for keeping blood sugar in check. But did you know that ancient Chinese movement practices like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Qigong might offer real benefits alongside standard medical care?
A new research review published in the journal Medicine looked at 78 carefully designed clinical trials conducted between 2002 and 2024 to understand how these Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) practices affect people living with T2DM. The researchers searched eight major medical databases and focused on practices including Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Qigong, Yijinjing, and Wuqinxi.
What did they find? The evidence suggests that these gentle, flowing movement practices may help patients manage two key markers of diabetes control: fasting blood sugar levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which reflects average blood sugar over several months. Baduanjin and Tai Chi were the most studied and most commonly recommended practices in these trials.
These exercises are particularly appealing because they are low-impact, can be practiced by older adults, and carry minimal risk of injury. They also support overall wellbeing, reducing stress and improving balance — both important concerns for people with diabetes.
However, the researchers were careful to note that the evidence isn't perfectly consistent across all studies, and more standardized research is still needed. These practices are best viewed as a helpful complement to — not a replacement for — prescribed medications and regular medical care.
If you are curious about adding Tai Chi, Baduanjin, or Qigong to your diabetes management routine, speak with your doctor first, and seek guidance from a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can tailor a safe and appropriate program for your needs.
This scoping review, conducted under the PRISMA-ScR framework and PICOS principles, synthesized evidence from 78 RCTs (published 2002–2024) examining Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) modalities — Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Qigong, Yijinjing, and Wuqinxi — as complementary interventions for T2DM management. Eight English and Chinese databases were systematically searched through April 30, 2025. Baduanjin and Tai Chi represented the most frequently studied modalities. The predominant outcome measures were fasting plasma glucose (86.61%; 67/78 studies) and glycated hemoglobin HbA1c (75.64%; 60/78 studies), with findings generally supporting glycemic benefit. Seventy-three trials employed single-modality interventions; five utilized combined TCE protocols. Publication volume peaked in 2020. Notably, evidence remains heterogeneous and at times contradictory, limiting definitive efficacy conclusions. Clinically, TCE may serve as a viable adjunct to pharmacotherapy for T2DM, though standardized protocols and more rigorous outcome selection are essential priorities for future investigation.
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