Efficacy and Safety of Qigong Interventions for School-aged Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qigong interventions for school-aged children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and assess the strength and limitations of current evidence. METHOD: This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261302013). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched from inception to March 2025. Eligible studies evaluated traditional Qigong practices, such as Baduanjin or Tai Chi, as interventions for school-aged children with ADHD. Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and single-arm pre-post studies were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 or Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions. Findings were synthesized narratively because of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 389 children met inclusion criteria. Interventions lasted 6 to 16 weeks and primarily involved Baduanjin or Tai Chi. Qigong was more consistently associated with reductions in hyperactivity and impulsivity, whereas effects on inattention were variable. Several studies reported improvements in behavioral problems, sensory integration, and adaptive functioning. Effects were generally comparable to structured exercise and showed incremental benefits when combined with standard treatment. No intervention-related adverse events were reported. Evidence was limited by small samples, methodological weaknesses, outcome heterogeneity, and short follow-up. CONCLUSION: Qigong may offer modest benefits for hyperactivity and impulsivity in school-aged children with ADHD without identified safety concerns; however, evidence certainty remains low. Current evidence supports further investigation of Qigong as a complementary, not replacement, intervention. Larger, well-designed randomized trials are required.