A promising new study published in the journal Translational Exercise Biomedicine unveils the potential benefits of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, in alleviating menopausal symptoms and fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. Aromatase inhibitors are a critical therapeutic approach for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, yet their side effects significantly compromise patient adherence and quality of life. This pioneering randomized controlled pilot study, conducted at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangzhou Sport University, provides compelling preliminary evidence supporting Baduanjin as a feasible, low-intensity adjunct to conventional care.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, with hormone receptor-positive subtypes representing a substantial proportion of cases. Aromatase inhibitors have revolutionized postmenopausal breast cancer management by effectively lowering estrogen synthesis, thereby reducing recurrence rates. However, the clinical utility of these drugs is hampered by disturbing side effects including joint pain (arthralgia), hot flashes, and profound fatigue—symptoms that contribute to dysregulated treatment adherence, observed to be as high as 37% within five years. This therapeutic conundrum has spurred research into supportive interventions that mitigate toxicity while sustaining treatment efficacy.
Exercise is widely recognized as a non-pharmacological strategy to counteract cancer therapy side effects. Yet, traditional aerobic and resistance training programs, though beneficial, present barriers to many patients due to their moderate-to-high intensity. Additionally, fatigue and physical discomfort associated with cancer and its treatments limit participation. Against this backdrop, Baduanjin emerges as a culturally meaningful and physiologically gentle practice that integrates slow, deliberate movements, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindfulness, potentially circumventing the challenges posed by conventional exercise regimens.
The study enlisted 70 breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors for over six months and experiencing significant menopausal symptoms. Subjects were randomized into two cohorts: one engaging in a supervised Baduanjin exercise routine, composed of thrice-weekly 90-minute sessions over 12 weeks, and a control group receiving usual care without structured exercise. The primary aims were twofold: to establish the feasibility of implementing a structured Baduanjin program and to explore its therapeutic impact on menopausal symptom severity and inflammatory biomarker profiles.
Results demonstrated that 39 participants completed the study protocol, with a notably higher retention rate in the Baduanjin group (68.6%) compared to controls (42.9%), suggesting better tolerability and adherence. Importantly, patients practicing Baduanjin experienced statistically significant improvements in arthralgia scores relative to the control cohort. Although reductions in the frequency of hot flashes did not reach statistical significance, trends favored the intervention group, hinting at the potential for further benefits with sustained practice or larger sample sizes.
Fatigue, quantified using the Piper Fatigue Scale which captures physical, affective, and cognitive dimensions, revealed significant enhancements specifically in the affective and cognitive/mood subdomains among participants assigned to Baduanjin training. This multidimensional fatigue reduction underscores the holistic impact of the mind-body exercise, addressing not only physical exhaustion but also the psychological and emotional burdens that frequently compromise cancer survivors’ well-being.
Of particular scientific intrigue was the study’s biochemical exploration examining serum levels of key inflammatory mediators: interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). While IL-1β and TNF-α levels remained unchanged across groups, IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in the Baduanjin cohort. Although IL-6 is traditionally classified as a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in cancer progression and inflammatory disorders, emerging evidence illuminates its dualistic role during exercise as an anti-inflammatory myokine that supports metabolic regulation and attenuates chronic inflammation.
This paradoxical IL-6 elevation may reflect beneficial immunomodulatory adaptations elicited by Baduanjin, differentiating exercise-induced transient cytokine release from pathological chronic inflammation. These findings align with growing awareness that exercise-induced IL-6 serves as a signal for enhanced muscle glucose uptake and modulation of immune cell activity, suggesting a plausible mechanistic link between mind-body practices and improved systemic homeostasis in breast cancer survivors.
The implications of this study extend beyond symptom amelioration. By integrating traditional practices into contemporary oncology supportive care, Baduanjin offers a culturally resonant, accessible, and sustainable exercise modality that could improve treatment compliance and quality of life. The mental focus inherent in the practice may also confer psychosocial benefits, potentially addressing cancer-related anxiety and depression, which, although not formally assessed in this pilot, merit future investigation.
While these results are highly encouraging, caution is warranted due to the pilot nature of the study, relatively small sample size, and differential dropout rates, which may influence outcome robustness. The researchers emphasize the necessity of larger, long-term randomized controlled trials to validate efficacy, elucidate mechanistic pathways, and optimize intervention protocols adaptable to diverse clinical settings.
Prof. Min Hu, president of Guangzhou Sport University and the study’s corresponding author, highlighted the dual objectives of feasibility verification and preliminary efficacy assessment, underscoring the importance of integrating empirical rigor with cultural competence in exercise oncology research. Similarly, Prof. Xiaohui Hou, vice president of Guangzhou Sport University and first author, accentuated the necessity of confirmatory studies to substantiate Baduanjin’s immunomodulatory roles and therapeutic potential.
In summary, this study catalyzes an exciting intersection of traditional mind-body exercise with modern cancer therapeutics, opening avenues for innovative integrative methods that respect patient diversity and individual capabilities. Given the increasing survivorship of breast cancer patients and the persistent challenge of managing aromatase inhibitor-induced side effects, Baduanjin may evolve into a valuable component of comprehensive supportive care, enhancing patient resilience and treatment adherence.
This investigation exemplifies a paradigm shift embracing holistic approaches that transcend conventional biomedical models, weaving movement, breath, and mindfulness into a tapestry of healing grounded in ancient wisdom yet aligned with cutting-edge biomedical science. As oncology care evolves, mind-body interventions such as Baduanjin hold promise not only to alleviate symptoms but also to empower patients in their journey toward recovery and wellness.
Subject of Research: Breast cancer survivors experiencing menopausal symptoms induced by aromatase inhibitor therapy.
Article Title: Baduanjin exercise for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors: a randomized controlled pilot study
News Publication Date: 30-Sep-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/teb-2025-0015
Image Credits: Xiaohui Hou, Hao Lan, Li Cai, Kun Wang, Jingwen Liao and Min Hu.
Keywords: Cancer, Breast Cancer, Aromatase Inhibitors, Menopausal Symptoms, Fatigue, Baduanjin, Mind-Body Exercise, Inflammatory Biomarkers, IL-6, Exercise Oncology, Integrative Medicine
