OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Baduanjin training on the cognitive function in stroke survivors with cognitive impairment. DESIGN: A randomized, two-arm parallel controlled trial with allocation concealment and assessors blinding. SETTING: Community centre of Fuzhou city, China. SUBJECTS: A total of 48 participants were recruited and randomly allocated into the Baduanjin exercise intervention or control group. INTERVENTIONS: The control group maintained original medication and rehabilitation treatment. The Baduanjin training group received 24-week Baduanjin training with a frequency of three days a week and 40 minutes a day based on original medication and rehabilitation treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was global cognitive function. Secondary outcome measures included the specific domains of cognition (ie, memory, processing speed, execution, attention and visuospatial ability) and activities daily living. RESULTS: In total, 41 (Baduanjin n = 22, control n = 19) participants completed 24-week treatment and data collection. Mean differences between groups at 24-week treatment were statistically significant for global cognitive function (MoCA 2.54 (0.91 to 4.16)), execution (TMT-A -42.4 (-75.0 to -9.8); TMT-B -71.3 (-130.6 to -12.1)), memory (immediate recall 2.11 (0.49 to 3.73); short-term delayed recognition 2.47 (0.58 to 4.35) and long-term delayed recognition 1.68 (0.18 to 3.17)), attention (response time of alertness -245.5 (-387 to -104)) and activities of daily living (modified Barthel Index). CONCLUSION: Regular Baduanjin training is associated with less loss of cognitive function in patients after stroke.

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