Effects of Wuqinxi on blood pressure and lipids in hypertensive middle-aged and elderly adults: a meta-analysis

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Wuqinxi significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SMD -0.53; approximately 5.3 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure compared to control interventions in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Primary hypertension (n=770). Intervention: Wuqinxi vs. No intervention, health education, acupuncture, or standard regular drugs. Primary outcome: Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.35, p=<0.00001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Standardized Wuqinxi exercise significantly reduces systolic blood pressure by approximately 5.3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 6.7 mmHg in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To quantify the therapeutic effects of standardized Wuqinxi exercise on blood pressure, lipid profile, and resting heart rate in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension, and to evaluate evidence certainty using the GRADE system.

Tianhao Zhang; Mingang Guo; Zehui Zhang

doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1929567

September 1, 2026Frontiers in MedicineOpen Access

Effects of Wuqinxi on blood pressure and lipids in hypertensive middle-aged and elderly adults: a meta-analysis

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Key result

Wuqinxi exercise lowers systolic blood pressure by ~5 mmHg vs. control in primary hypertension.

SMD -0.53
95% CI -0.72 to -0.35
P<0.00001
n=770

Why the study?

The therapeutic effects of standardized Wuqinxi exercise on blood pressure, lipid profile, and resting heart rate in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension were not well quantified.

Does Wuqinxi exercise reduce blood pressure and improve lipid profiles in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension?

Key Points

To quantify the therapeutic effects of standardized Wuqinxi exercise on blood pressure, lipid profile, and resting heart rate in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension, and to evaluate evidence certainty using the GRADE system.
Systematically searched five databases (Web of Science, Wanfang Data, CNKI, EBSCO, and PubMed) from January 2000 to June 30, 2026, identifying 11 randomized controlled trials encompassing 770 participants aged 30 to 80 years.
Evaluated interventions lasting 3 to 6 months using random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses, assessing study quality via the PEDro scale and GRADE framework.
Wuqinxi exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.3 mmHg (post-sensitivity SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -0.72 to -0.35, P < 0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure by 6.7 mmHg.
Circulating lipids improved significantly, with an increase in high-density lipoprotein (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.02) and a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (SMD = -0.63, 95% CI: -1.19 to -0.07).
Evidence certainty was rated moderate for blood pressure outcomes, low for high-density lipoprotein, and very low for low-density lipoprotein.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=770)

Structured PICO

Does Wuqinxi exercise reduce blood pressure and improve lipid profiles in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension?

P

Population

770 middle-aged and older adults aged 30 to 80 years with primary hypertension included across 11 randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of 3-6 months of Wuqinxi exercise.

I

Intervention

Wuqinxi exercise as an adjunctive intervention, consisting of 5-6 sessions weekly for a duration of 3 to 6 months.

C

Comparator

Control groups receiving either no intervention, health education, acupuncture treatment, or regular drugs (standard pharmacotherapy/usual care).

O

Outcome

Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)surrogate

Main Result

Standardized Mean Difference: -0.53 (95% CI -0.72–-0.35)

p-value: p=<0.00001

Standardized Wuqinxi exercise serves as a safe and effective adjunctive therapy that consistently lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive adults.

Limitations

High initial heterogeneity among the included studies, necessitating sensitivity analysis exclusions
Universal methodological deficiencies in allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessors across included trials
Limited number of trials and small sample sizes for evaluating lipid outcomes like triglycerides, HDL, and LDL
Inconsistent control group designs across the included trials
Universal deficiencies in allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessors
High initial statistical heterogeneity among the included studies
Presence of extreme outliers and potential small sample bias
No included studies were rated as high quality on the PEDro scale

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Implication

Supports Wuqinxi as low-cost adjunct for BP control in primary hypertension; extends RCT evidence for mind-body exercises in cardiovascular risk reduction.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to quantify the therapeutic effects of standardized Wuqinxi exercise on blood pressure, lipid profile, and resting heart rate in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension, and to grade the evidence certainty using the GRADE framework. Methods: We systematically searched Web of Science, Wanfang Data, CNKI, EBSCO, and PubMed (January 2000 to June 30, 2026) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Wuqinxi as an adjunctive intervention for hypertension. Eleven RCTs (770 participants, aged 30-80 years, 3-6 months duration) were included. Primary outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models, with pre-specified sensitivity analyses excluding studies with high risk of bias, non-standard protocols, or incompatible controls. Results: Wuqinxi significantly reduced SBP by 5.3 mmHg and DBP by 6.7 mmHg, improved HDL [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-1.02], and reduced LDL (SMD = -0.63, 95% CI: -1.19 to -0.07). GRADE evidence quality was moderate for blood pressure, low for HDL, and very low for LDL. Conclusion: Wuqinxi is a safe, low-cost adjunctive therapy for hypertension with consistent blood pressure-lowering effects over 3-6 months. We recommend integrating 5-6 sessions weekly into community and clinical hypertension care. Lipid benefits require confirmation through high-quality RCTs with standardized protocols. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD420261396941.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Zhang et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Primary hypertension (n=770). Wuqinxi vs. No intervention, health education, acupuncture, or standard regular drugs was evaluated on Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.35, p=<0.00001). Wuqinxi significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SMD -0.53; approximately 5.3 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure compared to control interventions in middle-aged and older adults with primary hypertension.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ad0fcf615427f6a84040450 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1929567

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Effects of Wuqinxi on blood pressure and lipids in hypertensive middle-aged and elderly adults: a meta-analysis

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Effects of Wuqinxi on blood pressure and lipids in hypertensive middle-aged and elderly adults: a meta-analysis

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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