Baduanjin exercise for negative emotion of patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Baduanjin was also called Eight Brocades (EB), a branch of Qigong exercise, is classified as a mild-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise. It has been theorized that regular practice of EB can alleviate anxiety and depression in patients undergoing chemotherapy; however, there are currently no comprehensive quantitative reviews on the efficacy of EB for this population. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of EB on chemotherapy-treated patients. METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception until February 15, 2024, to identify relevant studies. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to filter the retrieved studies. Outcomes were various quantitative assessments. This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO Registry (registration number CRD42023466630). RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met eligibility criteria (n = 704). The meta-analysis results demonstrated that EB significantly reduced levels of anxiety and depression. Subgroup analysis revealed that the intervention frequency of 1 time/day had a greater effect on the improvement of negative emotions, compared with 2 times/day and 5 times/week. The intervention duration of 4 weeks showed more efficacy in reducing depression scores than 12 weeks or 16 weeks; however, no statistical difference was observed for anxiety scores. CONCLUSION: EB exercise can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in chemotherapy-treated patients. However, the results should be interpreted with caution as existing methodological limitations. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to improve the negative emotion among chemotherapy-treated patients by EB exercise.

[Baduanjin improves sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes possibly via regulating Bmal1 gene].

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing, and the sleep quality of patients with diabetes mellitus is often affected. Baduanjin may act on biological rhythm of the body, skeletal muscle glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle fibers and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by regulating the expression of Bmal1 gene, thus regulating the blood glucose level and circadian rhythm of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and improving their physiological functions. This article reviews the regulatory effect and mechanism of Baduanjin on Bmal1 gene expression in diabetes patients, and discusses the possibility of Baduanjin to improve the sleep quality of T2DM patients by regulating Bmal1 gene expression. This review can provide a new field for the clinical application of traditional Chinese Qigong Baduanjin, and provide a new scientific basis for exercise therapy of diabetes.

Health Effects of Tai Chi Qigong Practices and Its Reflections on Nursing Practices: Systematic Review.

This systematic review was conducted to examine the effects of Tai Chi Qigong (TCQi) practices on health and their reflections on nursing practices. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials for TCQi included quantitative English-language studies from 2012 to 2021 using 7 electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Ebrary, Elsevier, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus). Seven studies were selected to review the effects of TCQi exercise applied by nurses in the presence of symptoms that worsen the general health status of individuals or develop secondary to chronic diseases: sleep disturbance, depression, fatigue symptoms, deterioration in the quality of life, worsening of self-care behaviors, and stress symptoms. Evidence on the use of the TCQi practices is limited, and the proof of its preferability over other integrative methods in care practices by nurses is not at the desired level. Therefore, this systematic review emphasizes further research on the risks and benefits of TCQi practices as with other integrative methods, so that TCQi practices, which are easier to apply than other mind-body practices, can be preferred by nurses.

Effects of Qigong Therapy on the Psychological Well-Being, Physical Health State, Sleep State, and Life Satisfaction of Older Adults Living in Community.

Older adults living in a community are looking for alternative and complementary methods to improve their healthy longevity and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the effects of the Qigong therapy on psychological well-being, physical health state, sleep state, and life satisfaction of older adults living in community. This study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design. The study samples were 69 older adults (intervention, n = 34; control, n = 35) over 65 years old in community in South Korea. Qigong therapy was performed 50 minutes per session, twice a week for a total of 20 times over a 10-week period in a comfortable and quiet environment without external noise. Measures were the study participant's general characteristics survey, psychological well-being scale, Cornell Medical Index-Korean version, sleep scale, and life satisfaction scale standardized for the elderly. Effects of Qigong therapy according to interaction effect over time and the group showed statistically significant differences in psychological well-being, physical health state, sleep state, and life satisfaction. This study suggests that Qigong therapy was an effective nursing intervention for improving the psychological well-being, physical health state, sleep state, and life satisfaction of older adults living in community.

Effectiveness of traditional chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapy intervention on the cognitive function in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: There exists a deficiency in a distinct understanding of the intervention effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) exercise therapies (Tai Chi, Yi Jin Jing, Ba Duan Jin, Liu Zi Jue, Qigong, Wu Qin Xi etc.) on cognitive function and its moderating variables in the elderly. This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of TCM exercise therapies on the cognitive function of the elderly and further propose the best exercise intervention programme to delay the cognitive decline of the elderly. METHODS: PubMed, EBSCO host, Web of Science, EMbase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan Fang databases were searched for the effects of TCM exercise therapies on the cognitive function in older adults until July 2022. A meta-analysis of the included literature was performed using Stata 12.0 software, with a subgroup analysis of seven moderating variables: subject type, intervention content, intervention duration, intervention frequency, intervention period, study type and sample size. A random effects model was used to combine the overall effect sizes and to test for heterogeneity and publication bias across studies. RESULTS: A total of 20 publications with 1975 subjects were included. The TCM exercise therapies delayed cognitive decline in older adults (d = 0.83; 95 % CI [0.62-1.04]; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis found that intervention content, intervention duration, intervention frequency, and intervention period were significant moderating variables influencing the effectiveness of the intervention. Among them, the Ba Duan Jin intervention (d = 0.85; 95 % CI [0.65-1.06]; P < 0.001), the duration of each exercise session of 60 min or more (d = 0.86; 95 % CI [0.71-1.00]; P < 0.001), the frequency of exercise of more than 5 times per week (d = 0.80; 95 % CI [0.64-0.96]; P < 0.001) and exercise cycles of 6-9 months (d = 0.96; 95 % CI [0.80-1.12]; P < 0.001) produced the largest effect sizes. CONCLUSION: TCM exercise therapies can effectively improve the cognitive function of the elderly. The best effect on the cognitive function of the elderly was achieved by choosing Ba Duan Jin and exercising at least five times a week for at least 60 min each time for a total of 6-9 months. The effect size of the TCM exercise therapy interventions on the cognitive function in older adults may be overestimated because of publication bias. In addition, large-sample, multicenter, high-quality randomised controlled trials should be conducted to validate this result.

Effects of Baduanjin Qigong in Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

The current quasi-experimental study explored the effects of Baduanjin qigong on body mass index (BMI) and five metabolic indexes in people with schizophrenia. Inclusion criteria were body mass index >25 kg/m2 or metabolic syndrome. Twenty-two service users were recruited from a psychiatric center and were assigned to the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG) using blocked randomization. The EG performed Baduanjin qigong lasting 1 hour for 12 weeks three times per week, whereas the CG received routine care. Generalized estimating equations showed that the EG achieved a greater decrease in BMI and waist circumference (WC) than the CG post-intervention. Baduanjin qigong may provide an effective nonpharmacological approach to reducing BMI and WC in people with schizophrenia. This study showed that performing Baduanjin qigong for 12 weeks is a feasible and effective strategy for improving the body shape of individuals with chronic schizophrenia, thus providing results that can serve as a reference for health professionals working in psychiatry departments. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(4), 41-48.].

Effect of Baduanjin qigong on postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Baduanjin qigong on improving lung function and postoperative quality of life of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to find an effective home-based pulmonary rehabilitation method. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was carried out from July 2019 to October 2021, which included 216 NSCLC postoperative participants from Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, including the observation (n = 108) group and the control group (n = 108). The control group was given routine lung rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given Baduanjin qigong. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks.The patient's age, sex, smoking history, lung cancer stage, pathological type were recorded. Related indicators of lung function, 6-min walk distance(6MWD), Piper fatigue Scale, and Borg dyspnea score before and after intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Compared with these indicators before indicators, lung function, 6MWD, Piper fatigue Scale score and Borg score were significantly better in the two groups after intervention (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in FVC%, 6MWD and Borg score between the two groups (P > 0.05), whereas FEV1% and Piper fatigue Scale scores in the observation group were better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Baduanjin qigong and traditional pulmonary rehabilitation methods can improve the postoperative lung function and quality of life of patients with NSCLC; and compared with traditional pulmonary rehabilitation training, Baduanjin Qigong may have certain advantages in relieving cancer-related fatigue and FEV1%, and may be another new method of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial No.: ChiCTR1900025121.

Immunomodulatory Effects in Healthy Individuals Following a 4-Week Taoist Qigong Intervention: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND Qigong, an ancient health preservation technique forming part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, combines slow body movements, breathing, and meditation. While this meditative movement system has been reported to offer various physical and psychological benefits, studies on the Taoist school of qigong are sparse. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of Taoist qigong on white blood cells and other immune parameters in healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-eight participants were recruited for the study, with 21 assigned to the experimental group and 17 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group engaged in a four-week Taoist qigong program. Blood samples for immune parameter quantification, including leukocyte count, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and large unstained cell (LUC) counts, as well as concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C4, were collected one day before the experiment started and one day after it ended. RESULTS Post-program, the experimental group exhibited significantly lower total leukocyte counts, and reduced numbers of lymphocytes and LUCs. Additionally, a higher percentage of monocytes was noted in this group. CONCLUSIONS Taoist qigong practice induced a distinct immunomodulatory profile, characterized by decreased counts of several white blood cell parameters and increased percentages of certain agranulocytes. This outcome presents intriguing implications from a psychobiological perspective and highlights the need for further research into the immune effects of Taoist mind-body practice.

Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on cognitive and physical functions in older adults: systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Older adults experience age-related declines in physical and cognitive functions due to interactions between aging and chronic diseases. Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) might be beneficial in improving the physical function and delaying the cognitive decline of this population. The potential underlying mechanism was explored to determine the effects of TCQ on cognitive function via direct or indirect pathways. PURPOSE: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of TCQ on cognitive and physical functions in older adults using meta-analysis, and to determine the impact of TCQ on cognitive function while controlling for physical function using a meta-regression approach. METHODS: A systematic search of 13 electronic databases (in English, Korean, and Chinese languages) identified 10,292 potentially eligible studies published between inception and May 2022. The bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (version 2.0) tool. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated using a 95% prediction interval, and the meta-analysis and meta-regression were implemented using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 3) software. RESULTS: Our search identified 17 randomized studies (n = 2,365, mean age = 70.3 years). The results of the meta-analysis that used a random-effects model indicated that TCQ had significant effects on both cognitive (Hedges' g = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.42) and physical (Hedges' g = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.44) functions. We used meta-regression to explore the effect size of TCQ in association with physical function level. The regression model was significant (Q = 25.01, p = .070), and 55% of the heterogeneity was explained by physical function as a moderator variable. The effects of TCQ on cognitive function remained significant in this model when controlling for the effect of physical function (ß = 0.46, p = .011). CONCLUSION: This meta-regression of 17 randomized studies strongly suggests that TCQ has beneficial effects on physical and cognitive functions in older adults. The effect of TCQ on cognitive function remained significant after taking into account the significant effects of physical function as a moderator. The findings imply the potential health benefits of TCQ by promoting cognitive function in older adults directly and indirectly through enhancing physical function. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: *PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, registration ID CRD42023394358.

Enhancing Subjective Well-Being Through Qigong: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Older Adults in Hong Kong With Chronic Physical Illness.

Context: Eight-section Brocades, a qigong protocol, has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic physical illness, but its positive effects on quality of life, such as subjective well-being, aren't known. Objective: This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of qigong for increasing subjective well-being in older adults with chronic physical illness. Design: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Setting: A governmental family clinic in Hong Kong. Participants: Participants were 47 older adults, 19 males and 28 females, with chronic physical illness. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to an Eight-section Brocades group (n = 25) or a cognitive training group (n = 22). The groups received 12 weeks of the Eight-section Brocades intervention or of cognitive training, respectively. Outcome Measures: The primary outcome-subjective well-being-and the secondary outcomes-functional independence, sleep quality, mobility, and hand grip strength-were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and at a one-month follow-up. Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in improvements in subjective well-being or any of the secondary outcomes. Significant improvements in subjective sleep quality and decreases in daytime dysfunction over time were reported by participants in both groups. Conclusions: The findings didn't support 12 weeks of Eight-section Brocades qigong as an effective treatment to enhance the subjective well-being of older adults with chronic physical illness. These null findings may be due to the possibilities that: (1) the treatment may have minimal effects on positive psychology outcomes; (2) the primary outcome measure showed possible ceiling effects for the groups; (3) the current study used an active control condition that may have had more benefits than the control conditions used in previous studies; (4) the current study may have been underpowered; (5) more than 12 weeks (24 sessions) of qigong may be required to impact well-being; or (6) some combination of these factors may have affected the results.

Qigong in Perceptual Auditory Attention: Tool to Improve Sound Integration in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Context: Qigong, a mind-body practice in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), can improve cognitive functions, emotional balance, attention, multitask management, stress-coping, and well-being. One limitation of Qigong research is a lack of adequate controls. Objective: The current study intended to evaluate whether a single 5-min practice of a White Ball (WB) Qigong exercise could improve the perceptual auditory attention, divided and focused, in adults and whether obtaining potential effects would require a minimum level of training. Design: The research team designed a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and single-blinded study. Setting: The study took place at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) at the University of Porto in Porto, Portugal. Participants: Participants were 55 students at the University of Porto, 30 of whom were students attending the second year of medical school at ICBAS with no experience in Qigong and 25 of whom were students in the specialization and Master's programs in TCM with experience in Qigong. Intervention: The research team randomly distributed the 30 participants without experience into two groups, a negative control group (n = 15), who watched a wildlife video for 5 min in an orthostatic position, and a positive control group , the verum Qigong group (n = 15), who participated in 5 min of Qigong practice. The Qigong-practitioner group (n = 25), the intervention group, participated in the same 5-min Qigong, doing it with expertise. Outcome Measures: The study measured reaction time (RT) under two experimental conditions, one an auditory RT task and the second an auditory RT task with visual distraction. The procedure was constant for all the studied groups. Results: Postintervention, the reaction time (RT) in the negative control and the verum Qigong groups hadn't changed significantly (P > .05), while that of the Qigong-practitioner group had decreased significantly, with shorter RTs under the two experimental conditions, with P = .006 for the auditory RT and P = .003 for the auditory + visual distraction. Qigong may induce a conditioning effect that comes with regular practice. Conclusions: The WB Qigong had a positive effect on the AA mechanism, with a significant reduction in RT. The results support the importance of practice to achieve positive effects. People with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, struggle every day for sensory integration of AA mechanisms. Qigong can be taught and easily learned from the age of 2 years until senior ages, and it's a safe and very low-cost intervention that deserves to be researched further in clinical trials. These potential benefits of Qigong should be confirmed by future studies.

Pilot study of tai chi and qigong on body composition, sleep, and emotional eating in midlife/older women.

Weight gain and related adverse changes in body composition are prevalent among midlife and older women and contribute to chronic disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression). Tai Chi (TC) and Qigong (QG), forms of Meditative Movement, demonstrate improved physical/psychological symptoms and body composition. Using a standardized TC/QG protocol, we explored pre/post intervention differences in percent body fat and factors related to body composition in midlife/older women. In the context of a single-group pilot study, females ages 45-75 (N = 51) enrolled in an 8-week TC/QG intervention. Primary outcome measures of body composition, sleep quality, emotional eating and select secondary outcome psycho-emotional factors (perceived stress, mood state, mindfulness, self-compassion, body awareness) were collected. Change in percent body fat did not reach statistical significance (p = .30, M =  0.35, 95% CI [- 0.32, 1.0]). Sleep quality improved significantly, p = .04, M = - 0.88, 95% CI [-1.71, - 0.04]. Emotional eating changed in the expected direction, but not significantly, p = .08, M =  -0.16, 95% CI [-0.34, 0.02]. Significant differences were found in body awareness, p = .01, M =  0.36, 95% CI [0.08, 0.63] and perceived stress, p = .05, M =  -2.36, 95% CI [-4.76, 0.04]. Preliminary results are promising as results showed improvements in factors related to healthy body composition. Refined research is needed to understand if/how TC/QG may improve body composition among midlife and older women.

Beneficial Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Left Ventricular Remodelling in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction: an Exploratory Clinical Trial and Proteomic Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of physical exercise on cardiac remodelling improvement after myocardial infarction have already been suggested. However, the results of previous clinical trials have not been consistent. Moreover, the putative molecular mechanisms leading to the clinically observed effects of physical exercise still remain elusive. AIM: We aimed to evaluate whether the well-defined and strictly controlled traditional Chinese Qigong Baduanjin exercise (BE) would attenuate the adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 110 clinically stable STEMI patients, following successful revascularization of their infarcted coronary arteries, were randomized and enrolled in two groups: 56 were subjected to a 12-week BE-based cardiac rehabilitation programme (BE group), and the remaining 54 were exposed to the usual physical exercise (control group) for the same time period. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to 6 months in the echocardiographic LV end-diastolic volume index (ΔLVEDVi). Proteomic analysis was also performed to uncover associated mechanisms. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the BE group showed significantly lower ΔLVEDVi (-5.1 ± 1.1 vs. 0.3 ± 1.2 mL/m2, P < 0.01). Proteomic analysis revealed BE-induced variations in the expression of 80 proteins linked to regulation the of metabolic process, immune process, and extracellular matrix reorganization. Furthermore, correlation analyses between the validated serum proteomes and primary endpoint demonstrated a positive association between ΔLVEDVi and MMP-9 expression, but a negative correlation between ΔLVEDVi and CXCL1 expression. CONCLUSION: This is the first study indicating that BE in STEMI patients can alleviate adverse LV remodelling associated with beneficial energy metabolism adaptation, inflammation curbing, and extracellular matrix organization adjustment.

Comparative Effect of Liuzijue Qigong and Conventional Respiratory Training on Trunk Control Ability and Respiratory Muscle Function in Patients at an Early Recovery Stage From Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of Liuzijue Qigong and conventional respiratory training on trunk control ability and respiratory muscle functions in patients at an early recovery stage from stroke. DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=60) within 2 months poststroke. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group (n=30) received conventional rehabilitation training combined with Liuzijue exercise, and the control group (n=30) received conventional rehabilitation training combined with conventional respiration training. The training in the 2 groups was conducted 5 times per week for 3 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum expiratory mid-flow (MMEF), diaphragmatic movement, the change of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). All outcome measures were assessed twice (at baseline and 3 weeks). RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved in TIS, MIP, FVC, PEF, and the change of IAP, BBS, and MBI when pre- and postassessments (P<.05) were compared. Compared with the control group, there was a significant difference in the experimental group in the static sitting balance subscale (P=.014), dynamic balance subscale (P=.001), coordination subscale (P<.001), TIS total scores (P<.001; effect size [ES]=0.9), MIP (P=.012; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.23-17.69; ES=0.67), MEP (P=.015; 95% CI, 1.85-16.57; ES=0.65), change of IAP (P=.001), and MBI (P=.016; 95% CI, 1.51-14.16; ES=0.64). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in FEV1 (P=.24), FVC (P=.43), PEF (P=.202), MMEF (P=.277), the diaphragmatic movement of quiet breathing (P=.146), deep breathing (P=.102), and BBS (P=.124). CONCLUSIONS: Liuzijue exercise showed more changes than conventional respiratory training in improving trunk control ability, respiratory muscle functions, and activities of daily living ability in patients at an early recovery stage from stroke.

Ba-Duan-Jin alleviates pain and fibromyalgia-related symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia: results of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia is a chronic debilitating pain syndrome. There has been growing interest in the development of non-pharmacological therapies. Ba-Duan-Jin is an ancient Chinese exercise for health promotion, yet easy to learn. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Ba-Duan-Jin in managing fibromyalgia symptoms experienced by Chinese patients. METHODS: In this randomised, usual therapy-controlled study, patients with fibromyalgia practiced Ba-Duan-Jin for one hour, twice a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (pain VAS). Secondary outcomes included the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Tender Point Count (TPC). These measures were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) was collected at week 12. The Mann-Whitney U-test was performed using the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: A total of 62 fibromyalgia patients were randomised to the Ba-Duan-Jin or the control groups. For the Ba-Duan-Jin group, significant improvement in pain VAS, FIQ, MAF, PSQI, and TPC were documented at weeks 4 (p≤0.046) and continued at week 8 (p≤0.003). At week 12, all of the outcome measures including BDI and PSS exhibited significant improvement (p≤0.004), and PGIC ratings were significantly better (p<0.001). No significant changes in the control group were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Ba-Duan-Jin exercise has the potential to be a valuable non-pharmacological intervention among Chinese fibromyalgia patients.

Intervention fidelity in Qigong randomized controlled trials: A method review.

Intervention fidelity has important implications for the reliability and validity of a study. Despite the widely reported health benefits of Qigong exercise interventions, the quality of intervention fidelity is less clear. The purpose of this paper is to use a valid intervention fidelity assessment tool to evaluate how intervention fidelity has been addressed in five areas-design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment-in Qigong randomized controlled studies. A total of 86 articles were drawn from CINAHL, PubMed, AMED, and Scopus, and 32 were selected for the review. The adherence to intervention fidelity strategies within the intervention design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment was 0.66, 0.32, 0.22, 0.12, and 0.21, respectively. The findings suggest that intervention fidelity is inadequately implemented or reported in published Qigong studies. Developing a consistent intervention fidelity plan for Qigong interventions is needed. To this aim, we propose a treatment fidelity plan specific to Qigong research.

Body Composition Outcomes of Tai Chi and Qigong Practice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Meditative movement (MM) practices are increasingly being studied, including examination of the potential for these modalities to contribute to weight management. METHODS: A search was conducted for randomized controlled trials testing one or both of two forms of MM, Tai Chi and Qigong, reporting effects on changes in body composition. Data from these studies were extracted and tabled, and a meta-analysis of studies with inactive control conditions was conducted. Risk of bias was assessed, and seven RCTs had a low risk of bias. Sources of bias include publication bias and selection of English only. RESULTS: Publications meeting inclusion criteria yielded 24 studies (N = 1621 participants). Significant improvements in body composition, primarily body mass index, were noted for 41.7% of studies. A synthesis table describes the distribution of design factors, including type of comparison condition (inactive vs. active) and baseline body composition status (whether or not overweight/obese). A meta-analysis was conducted on 12 studies with inactive controls (using a random effects model) finding a small-to-medium treatment effect (SMD = - 0.388, CI = [- 0.732, - 0.044], t = 2.48, p < 0.03) for TC or QG interventions with a high level of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi and Qigong show demonstrable effects on body composition, when compared to inactive control conditions. Systematic evaluation and valid conclusions regarding the impact of Tai Chi and Qigong on body composition outcomes will require more targeted study designs and control of comparison conditions.

The Impact of Upward versus Downward Movement Patterns on Memory Characteristics of Depressed Individuals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Basic research on embodiment has demonstrated that manipulating the motoric system has broad effects on cognitive and emotional processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an embodiment manipulation on the affective memory bias and specificity of autobiographic memories of depressed individuals. METHODS: Forty currently depressed patients practiced either an upward-opening Qi Gong movement, which runs counter to the habitual slumped and downward depressive movement style, or a downward-closing Qi Gong movement. They were required to retrieve specific personal memories to positive or negative cue words during movement. Moreover, an incidental recall of the cue words was conducted. RESULTS: Patients in the upward-opening movement condition in contrast to the downward-closing movement condition showed a more positively biased recall of affective words and recalled more specific autobiographical memories. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the motoric system and key maintaining cognitive factors in depressive disorders are closely interrelated.

Physical and psychological effects of Qigong exercise in community-dwelling older adults: An exploratory study.

Older adults need exercise programs that correspond to age-related changes. The purpose of this study was to explore preliminary effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise intervention on the physical ability, functional and psychological health, and spiritual well-being of community-dwelling older adults. Forty-five community-dwelling adults with the mean age of 74.8 years participated a 1-h Health Qigong exercise session twice weekly for 8 weeks. The majority were female (84%) and white (91%), and lived with their spouse (49%). Physical ability (p < 0.001), functional health (p = 0.001), balance (p < 0.001), functional reach (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.005), and spiritual well-being (p = 0.004) improved significantly after the 8-week intervention. Most participants perceived physical ability, mental health, and spiritual well-being benefits. No adverse events were reported. A twice weekly Qigong exercise program over 8 weeks is feasible and has potential to improve physical ability, functional health, balance, psychological health, and spiritual well-being in older adults.

A comparison of the effects of medical Qigong and standard exercise therapy on symptoms and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.

PURPOSE: Patients with advanced cancer frequently experience anxiety, depression and poor quality of life (QOL), as well as physical symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Physical exercise has potential to help control these symptoms but the optimal training prescription is still not clear. We performed a study comparing medical Qigong (QG) and standard endurance and strength training (SET) in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung (NSCLC) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. METHODS: A randomized, cross-over study was performed in patients with advanced NSCLC and GI cancers receiving or eligible for chemotherapy. Patients received supervised QG or SET twice-weekly for 6 weeks. Psychological functioning, QOL, symptoms and physical functioning were assessed before and after each intervention period. RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed both interventions. Comparing interventions revealed no difference between QG and SET on change in anxiety or depression scores or QOL. However, SET treatment was better at improving perceived strength (P = 0.05) and walking distance (P = 0.02). The order in which interventions were performed had a significant impact on the improvement in certain symptoms (sleep quality, breathlessness, P < 0.05), QOL (P = 0.01) and walking distance (P = 0.008). In all cases, the beneficial effects of the exercise interventions were markedly reduced during the second interval. CONCLUSIONS: QG and SET are equivalent in their impact on many aspects of psychological function in cancer patients. However, SET leads to greater improvements in exercise capacity and helps reduce some symptoms. The reduction in beneficial effect of SET on exercise function when offered as the second intervention is a new finding that warrants further study.