Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Sep 27, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 7, 2026
Effects of Sitting Baduanjin on Cancer-Related Fatigue in advanced cancer patients: Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Approximately 60% of advanced cancer patients experience the distress of cancer-related fatigue, which significantly worsens patients’ daily function and quality of life. Baduanjin has been regarded as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression and improving the quality of life. Owing to varying degrees of cancer-related fatigue in advanced cancer patients, patients may have insufficient endurance, making it difficult to implement standing Baduanjin. However, relevant evidence of sitting Baduanjin for cancer-related fatigue in advanced cancer patients is lacking. Method: This study will be a single-blind, pilot, randomised controlled trial. Patients suffering from cancer-related fatigue will be enlisted from a tertiary cancer hospital in China. The participants (N = 98) will be randomly assigned to either a sitting Baduanjin group or a control group at a 1:1 ratio using a block-randomised scheme. The participants in the sitting Baduanjin group will undergo an 8-week sitting Baduanjin intervention in addition to standard care, while the participants in the control group will receive standard care in the form of a booklet on the self-management of cancer symptoms. Cancer-related fatigue will constitute the primary outcome, while anxiety, depression and quality of life will serve as the secondary outcomes. These outcomes will be assessed at baseline(T0), 8weeks(T1), 12weeks(T2), and 16weeks(T3) after baseline. Discussion: The sitting baduanjin developed in this study can offer an appropriate exercise for advanced cancer patients. Furthermore, positive outcomes of sitting Baduanjin exercise will add to the scientific and practical knowledge of interventions for alleviating cancer-related fatigue. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-2400092148(Registered on 11 Nov 2024).
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