Traditional Chinese exercises improved blood sugar markers in prediabetes trials
A review of randomized trials reported metabolic and psychological improvements, but variation between studies limits confidence and diabetes prevention was not established.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Traditional Chinese exercises showed benefits for several blood sugar measures and psychological outcomes in people with prediabetes. The review supports further study of these approaches, but the abstract does not establish that they prevent diabetes. Differences between trials and small samples for some outcomes make the size and reliability of any benefit uncertain.
The authors report substantial differences between studies and small samples for some outcomes. The abstract supplies no pooled effect estimates, confidence intervals or detailed descriptions of the control conditions.
What researchers found
Fasting blood glucose
Compared with controls at 3, 6 and 12 months; pooled effect sizes and confidence intervals were not provided.
Several outcomes, different patterns
Alongside fasting glucose, the review reported improvements in insulin resistance and other blood sugar measures. Psychological outcomes also improved. These are separate endpoints, and the abstract does not show how large or noticeable the changes were.
Exercise types remain uncertain
The authors highlighted Baduanjin and Qigong for metabolic outcomes, while evidence for Taiji remained limited and inconclusive. That summary does not establish a reliable ranking of exercise types for an individual with prediabetes.
The original publication
Mind-Body Interventions for Prediabetes Management: Traditional Chinese Exercise and Its Dual Effects on Metabolic Control and Psychological Well-Being-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Yang Y, Chen R, Wang X et al.
J Diabetes Res · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41255514
- Record checked
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