Qigong
Qigong improves diabetic health – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2012
Taking part in a programme of qigong exercise may be beneficial for people with type-2 diabetes, according to an RCT carried out in Australia. The study included 41 participants with elevated blood glucose levels who were randomised to a qigong exercise intervention or a usual medical care control group. Physical and haematological measures were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, the results showed significant differences between the groups in favour of tai chi, in terms of body weight, waist circumference and leg strength. In addition, indicators of diabetes control (HbA1c, insulin resistance and fasting blood insulin) were found to have improved significantly more in the tai chi group compared with usual care. (Qi-gong mind-body therapy and diabetes control. A randomized controlled trial. Am J Prey Med. 2011 Aug;41(2):152-8).
Qigong improves quality of life – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2011
People who practice qigong report improved health-related quality of life compared with non-practitioners, according to a study from Taiwan. A total of 165 individuals practicing a qigong form called Wai Tan Kung were compared with 660 age and gender matched non-practitioner individuals for comparison. The qigong group scored higher on eight out of ten SF-36 Health Survey components compared with sedentary individuals, and five out of ten SF-36 measures compared with individuals practicing other forms of exercise. (Effect of Qigong on quality of life: a cross-sectional population-based comparison study in Taiwan. BMC Public Health. 2011 Jul 9;11:546).
Qigong benefits neck pain – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2011
A German team has compared qigong and exercise therapy in patients with chronic neck pain. One hundred and twenty-three patients with chronic neck pain (VAS 40 mm) were randomised to six months (18 sessions) of either qigong or exercise therapy, or to a waiting list (no treatment). After six months, a significant difference was seen between the qigong and waiting list control groups in terms of neck pain, disability and quality of life. Results in the qigong and exercise therapy groups were found to be similar. (Qigong versus Exercise versus no Therapy for Patients with Chronic Neck Pain – a Randomized Controlled Trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print]).
Qigong good for tinnitus – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2011
German researchers report that qigong training could be a useful adjunctive therapy for patients with tinnitus. Eighty tinnitus patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group, consisting of 10 qigong training sessions over five weeks, or a waiting-list control group. Compared with the control group, qigong participants experienced improvement in tinnitus severity. In a subgroup of patients with somatosensory tinnitus (tinnitus due to muscular overload), the effects of qigong were more pronounced, resulting in a highly significant improvement compared with the waiting-list group. The authors note that patient satisfaction with the intervention, a low drop-out rate and stability of the beneficial effects for at least three months after the intervention further increase the potential of qigong as a treatment for tinnitus. (Qigong for the treatment of tinnitus: a prospective randomized controlled study. J Psychosom Res. 2010 Sep;69(3):299-304).
Health benefits of qigong and tai chi – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2010
American authors have carried out a comprehensive review of the health benefits of qigong and tai chi (TC). Seventy-seven articles met their inclusion criteria. Nine outcome category groupings emerged: bone density, cardiopulmonary effects, physical function, falls and related risk factors, quality of life, self-efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, psychological symptoms and immune function. The authors conclude that there are consistent, significant results for a number of health benefits in RCTs of qigong and TC. (A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and tai chi. Am J Health Promot. 2010 Jul-Aug;24(6):el-e25).
Qigong effective for type 2 diabetes – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Jun 2010
An American study has found that 12 weeks of qigong therapy resulted in significant reductions in fasting glucose levels in patients with type two diabetes. Thirty-two age- and sex-matched participants, all of whom were taking oral diabetes medication, were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group one received the qigong intervention, group two served as the control group and group three underwent progressive resistance training (PRT). Participants attended weekly qigong or PRT group sessions (60 minutes per week), in addition to practising twice a week at home for 30 minutes per session. Statistically significant reductions in plasma glucose levels were observed in the qigong group, with all participants in this group showing a reduction in fasting glucose by the end of the intervention. In contrast, both the PRT group and the control group showed increased plasma glucose levels over time. Fasting glucose levels in the qigong group also showed significant improvement compared with those of the PRT group and the control group. The qigong group additionally demonstrated trends toward improvement in insulin resistance and HbA1C (glycosylated haemoglobin) levels. (Effects of Qigong on glucose control in type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled pilot study. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jan;33(1):e8).
Lasting benefits of qigong meditation – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2010
Brain scans of meditators show that the effects of long-term meditation practice are carried over into non-meditating states. Many meditation techniques aim to increase awareness of ongoing experiences through sustained attention and detachment – observation of these experiences with the intent not to analyse or judge them. With long-term practice, meditators report that these qualities of increased awareness and greater detachment are carried over into everyday life. Japanese investigators hypothesised that the neuroplasticity effects of meditation, which are correlates of increased awareness and detachment, would therefore be detectable in a no-task resting state. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to compare the brains of qigong meditators and non-meditating controls while at rest. Differences in brain activity between groups were found in the slow delta EEG frequency band (which reflects inhibitory brain functions). In the meditators, appraisal systems were inhibited, while brain areas involved in the detection and integration of sensory information showed increased activation. The authors conclude that the neuroplasticity effects of long-term meditation practice, subjectively described as increased awareness and greater detachment, are carried over into non-meditating states. (Meditators and non-meditators: EEG source imaging during resting. Brain Topogr. 2009 Nov;22(3):158-65).
Qigong beneficial for chronic fatigue – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2010
A small, uncontrolled UK pilot study has found evidence of benefit for qigong in treating chronic fatigue. Eighteen women were taught a qigong routine during weekly classes over six months, and asked to practise it daily for 15 minutes. Participants completed a medical questionnaire and a sleep diary during the two-week baseline control period, and at three and six months following the start of the trial. The qigong intervention resulted in significant changes in scores related to sleep, vitality, social activity, pain, mobility and mental attitude after three and six months. (Qigong ameliorates symptoms of chronic fatigue: a pilot uncontrolled study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Jun;6(2):265-70).
Qigong decreases inflammation in cancer patients – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Feb 2010
In Australia, a team investigating the use of medical qigong therapy (MQ) has found that it can improve cancer patients’ quality of life (QOL). In a randomised controlled trial, 162 patients received either MQ (gentle exercise, relaxation, meditation and breathing exercises based on Chinese medical theory) or usual care. The MQ group benefited from significant improvements in overall QOL, fatigue and mood disturbance compared with those receiving usual care. In addition, levels of the inflammatory marker serum C-reactive protein, which was measured serially during the course of the trial, were significantly reduced in the MQ group. The authors conclude that MQ may produce physical benefits in the long term through reduced inflammation. (Impact of Medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Oncol. 2009 Oct 30.
Qigong improves chronic fatigue symptoms – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2008
A British pilot study suggests that qigong can be used to manage the symptoms of chronic fatigue. Eighteen female participants were recruited, taught a qigong routine during weekly classes over six months, and asked to practise it daily for 15 minutes. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life and a sleep diary during a two-week baseline control period, and at three and six months following the start of the trial. The qigong intervention resulted in significant changes in sleep rate score and in the subscales of the questionnaire related to vitality, sleep problems, social activity, health distress and psychological well-being; and the improvements were maintained at three and six months. (Qigong Ameliorates Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue: A Pilot Uncontrolled Study. eCAM. 2008 Jul 15; doi:10.1093/ecam/nem088).