This study was a parallel, randomized controlled trial with a longitudinal research design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Baduanjin exercise group or the control group. The Baduanjin exercise group received a 12-week Baduanjin exercise programme. The control group received usual care. Fatigue, sleep quality, psychological distress, quality of life were assessed by a structured questionnaire at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after enrollment.

This study was a parallel, randomized controlled trial with a longitudinal research design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Baduanjin exercise group or the control group. Patients in the intervention group underwent a 12-week Baduanjin exercise programme consisting of 12 weeks of Baduanjin exercise, a 35-min Baduanjin exercise demonstration video, a picture-based educational brochure, and a performance record form. The control group received usual care. Fatigue, sleep quality, psychological distress, quality of life were assessed by a structured questionnaire at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with stable heart failure by a physician according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II
• Aged 20 years or older
• Able to communicate and speak Chinese
• Have video devices available to use at home

Exclusion Criteria:

• Impaired mobility, defined as a limitation in independent, purposeful physical movement of the body or of one or more extremities
• Unstable angina or myocardial infarction, unstable serious arrhythmia, unstable structural valvular disease, open-heart surgery, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diagnosis of major depression and cognitive disorders
• Unstable vital signs (defined as blood pressure > 180/110 mmHg or < 90/60 mmHg and resting heart rate > 100 beats/min).