Effect of Baduanjin exercise on patients with chronic heart failure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Chronic heart failure (CHF) is defined when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs, and it is caused by various cardiopulmonary diseases. CHF is a common, lifelong and costly condition. Baduanjin exercise (BDJE), a form of traditional Chinese regimen, has been integrated into China's clinical practice in recent years and has shown promise in cardiac rehabilitation of CHF patients. However, the efficacy of BDJE on CHF patients has not been fully statistically evaluated. In this study, we aim to systematically examine the efficacy and safety of BDJE for CHF patients. Methods and analysis A systematic literature search for articles up to October 2018 will be conducted in the following databases: Web of Science, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Database. We will also search other resources. Randomised controlled trials that examined treatment of CHF patients with BDJE will be selected. Results will be analysed by assessing the quality of life of patients using the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire, and measurement of distance walked over a span of 6 min in the 6 min walk test. RevMan 5.3 will be used for data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression analysis, subgroup analysis and risk of bias assessment. A funnel plot will be developed to evaluate reporting bias, and Begg and Egger tests will be used to assess funnel plot symmetries. Grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation system will be utilised to assess the quality of evidence. Ethics and dissemination This systematic review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPEROregistration number CRD42018114672.