Baduanjin exercise for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors: a randomized controlled pilot study

Objectives This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Baduanjin exercise – a traditional Chinese mind-body practice integrating gentle movements, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindfulness – on alleviating aromatase inhibitor-induced menopausal symptoms, reducing cancer-related fatigue, and modulating systemic inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) in breast cancer patients. Methods 70 patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy were recruited from Guangdong General Hospital and randomly assigned to either a Baduanjin exercise group (n=35) or a usual-care control group (n=35). The Baduanjin exercise group completed a supervised 12-week Baduanjin exercise regimen (three sessions weekly, 90 min/session), while controls maintained habitual activity. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Kupperman Index, fatigue severity via the Piper Fatigue Scale, and serum inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at baseline and post-intervention. Results 39 participants (55.7 %) completed the trial (intervention: n=24; control: n=15). The Baduanjin exercise group demonstrated significant reductions in arthralgia severity (p<0.05) and fatigue subdomains (affective: p<0.05; cognitive/mood: p<0.05) compared to controls. Notably, IL-6 levels increased significantly in the Baduanjin exercise group vs. the control group (p<0.05), while IL-1β and TNF-α showed no intergroup differences. Conclusions Baduanjin exercise may ameliorate aromatase inhibitor-induced menopausal symptoms and fatigue in breast cancer patients, with distinct modulations in inflammatory biomarkers. Its low-intensity, culturally tailored design supports feasibility as an adjunctive therapy, warranting further investigation into IL-6-mediated mechanisms.