Effects of acupuncture combined with Baduanjin on muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia: A randomized controlled trial

Background Older adults experience accelerated muscle loss due to decreased physical ability, inadequate nutrition, and chronic illnesses depletion, predisposing them to sarcopenia. While Baduanjin and acupuncture may be beneficial, their combined effectiveness remains unclear. Objectives To evaluate the combined effects of acupuncture and Baduanjin on muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 105 adults aged 60–84 years with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to three groups: acupuncture combined with Baduanjin group (AC + BDJ), acupuncture group (AC), and Baduanjin group (BDJ). The 12-week intervention included acupuncture twice weekly for 30 min and Baduanjin exercises five times weekly for 20–30 min. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12-week, and 20-week follow-up. The primary outcome was appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI). Secondary outcomes included body composition (weight, BMI, body fat percentage), physical function (handgrip strength, gait speed, calf circumference), and overall health status [short physical performance battery (SPPB), Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)]. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0. Results Among 93 completers, all groups showed significant within-group improvements (all P < 0.01). Crucially, AC + BDJ demonstrated superior improvements in ASMI (η 2 p = 0.609) and SPPB (η 2 p = 0.259) compared to individual groups (both P < 0.01). While AC + BDJ exhibited the largest percentage gains in other outcomes, Post-hoc differences were not statistically significant. Depressive symptom improvements were similar across groups. Conclusion Combining acupuncture with Baduanjin significantly enhances muscle mass and strength in older adults with sarcopenia, offering superior clinical efficacy and a low-risk, adaptable rehabilitation alternative. Trial registration This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number KY2024017). The registration was completed in the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registration Platform with registration number ITMCTR2025000130.