The effectiveness of different training modes of six-character qigong in improving respiratory muscle functioning after a stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the impact of different six-character qigong training modes on respiratory muscle function early after a stroke.Methods:Sixty-six stroke survivors in the early stage of recovery were randomly divided into a control group, a modified training group, and an ancient training group, each of 22. In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received conventional respiratory training. The modified training and ancient training groups were trained in modified six-character qigong or ancient six-character qigong, respectively, for two weeks. Before the treatment, after the two weeks and one month later, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, maximum mid-expiratory flow, and peak inspiratory flow were measured. Diaphragm mobility during quiet inspiration and maximum inspiration were also quantified.Results:After 2 weeks of treatment and at 1 and 3 months after the end of the treatment, all three groups showed significant improvement in MIP, MEP and the pulmonary ventilation indicators, but the average improvement in the modified training group was significantly greater than in the other two groups. Their average diaphragm mobility was also significantly greater.Conclusion:Modified six-character qigong respiratory training is more effective than its ancient counterpart in improving respiratory muscle function, pulmonary ventilation, and diaphragm mobility early after a stroke, with effects which persist for at least one month.

Effects of Tuina static training on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and adiponectin in obese rats / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effects and explore the mechanism of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)static training on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and adiponectin(APN)in obese rats. Methods:Eight of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected as a normal group to be fed a common diet.The remaining rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity models and randomly divided into a model group,an aerobic exercise group,and a static training group after successful modeling,with 8 rats in each group.During the entire experiment,rats in the normal group were fed a common diet without intervention.Rats in the model group were fed a high-fat diet without intervention.Rats in the aerobic exercise group were given moderate-intensity running exercises.Rats in the static training group were given 6-day/week static training for 8 weeks.The body mass and length of rats were recorded throughout the experiment,and the Lee's index was calculated.After the intervention,the perirenal and peri-epididymal fat weights of rats were measured,and the fat/body mass ratio was calculated.Four items of blood lipids were detected by biochemical methods[triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL),and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)];serum nitric oxide(NO),endothelin-1(ET-1),soluble thrombomodulin(sTM),and APN were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The morphological changes of the aorta in each group were observed under the microscope. Results:Compared with the normal group,the body mass,body length,Lee's index,perirenal fat mass,peri-epididymal fat mass,fat/body mass ratio,TG,TC,LDL,ET-1,and sTM in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the HDL,NO,and APN were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass,Lee's index,perirenal fat mass,peri-epididymal mass,fat/body mass ratio,TC,LDL,ET-1,and sTM in the aerobic exercise group and the static training group were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the HDL,NO,and APN were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the aerobic exercise group,NO in the static training group was significantly higher(P<0.05).APN was positively correlated with NO(P<0.01),while APN was negatively correlated with ET-1 or sTM(P<0.01).Aortic morphological observation showed that the degree of endothelial injury in the aerobic exercise group and the static training group was less significant than that in the model group,and the improvement of endothelial cell morphology in the static training group was more notable than that in the aerobic exercise group. Conclusion:Tuina static training and aerobic exercise improved the aortic endothelial injury in obese rats,and the effect of Tuina static training was more significant.The mechanism of action may be related to regulating lipid metabolism and promoting APN secretion.

Research on the mining, sorting and transforming of traditional exercise prescription from the perspective of sports and health integration / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Based on promoting the " sports and health integration" and with the aim of the positive role of traditional sports in promoting public health in an all-round and whole-cycle way, this paper uses the literature research method to explore the connotation of traditional sports in ancient Chinese books and literatures, such as " treating no diseases" , " treating mild diseases" , " treating desired diseases" and " treating existing diseases" . The traditional exercise prescription is interpreted from the modern language such as the amount of exercise and intensity, application time, role, standardization and matters needing attention, so as to provide the theoretical basis for the integration of traditional exercise prescription into grassroots health management by providing exercise promotion services for healthy, sub-healthy, sick and rehabilitated people.

Effects of 12-week Liu Zi Jue Qigong-based breathing training on the curvature and range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar spines / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Liu Zi Jue Qigong (LQG)-based breathing training on the curvature and range of motion (ROM) of the thoracic and lumbar spines in different positions. Methods: Forty-seven college students were selected as subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. In the observation group, 27 subjects received regular LQG-based breathing training for 12 weeks, while 20 subjects in the control group did not receive any intervention. The spine measuring instrument Spinal Mouse was adopted to detect the curvature and ROM of the thoracic and lumbar spines. Results: In the observation group, the changes in the curvatures of thoracic spine in the upright and forward-bending positions showed statistical significance after LQG exercise (P<0.05), while there was no notable difference in the control group. The comparison of ROM of the thoracic spine from the upright position to the forward-bending and load-bearing positions showed statistically significant difference in the observation group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group. There was no significant difference in the lumbar curvature and ROM in the two groups after LQG exercise. Conclusion: LQG-based breathing training improves the curvature and ROM of the thoracic spine.

Observation on the efficacy of traditional Qigong exercise combined with Tuina manipulations in treating lower cervical disc herniation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the efficacy of traditional Qigong exercise combined with Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)manipulations in treating lower cervical disc herniation(CDH).Methods:A total of 120 CDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 60 cases in each group.Patients in both groups were given the same Tuina manipulations.In addition,patients in the observation group practiced traditional Qigong exercise,and those in the control group did conventional neck exercise.After 8 weeks of treatment,the efficacy of the two groups was observed.Follow-up was conducted 3 months after the end of the treatment to record any recurrence.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The improvement in symptom scores was more significant in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).There was inter-group statistical significance in comparing the cross-sectional area and fatty infiltration of certain cervical muscles(P＜0.05).In addition,the recurrence rate in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:On the basis of the same Tuina manipulation treatment,the efficacy of traditional Qigong exercise in treating CDH is superior to that of conventional neck exercise,with more significant improvements in pain and quality of life and a lower recurrence rate.

Clinical observation on Yi Jin Jing(Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises)in improving anxiety for asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection during quarantine / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of Yi Jin Jing(Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises)intervention on anxiety in asymptomatic patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)infection during quarantine.Methods:A total of 160 asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection were stratified by gender and divided into an observation group and a control group by the stratified randomization method,with 80 cases in each group.The control group was given basic nursing in the cabin,and the observation group was given additional Yi Jin Jing exercises once a day,20 min each time,and trained continuously until 1 d before leaving the cabin.The Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)score was compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 154 cases were included for data analysis in this study,including 74 cases in the observation group and 80 cases in the control group.After intervention,the HAMA scores in both groups increased(P<0.05),while the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).In the control group,the HAMA score of females after intervention was higher than that of males.The scores of mental anxiety and somatic anxiety in both groups were higher than those before intervention,while the score of mental anxiety in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control(P<0.05).However,there was no statistical difference in the somatic score between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Patients with COVID-19 infection will get anxious during quarantine.Yi Jin Jing exercise can effectively reduce the aggravation of anxiety in asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection during concentrated quarantine.

Preparation of static training animal models and research status analysis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

As a form of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)Qigong exercises and an essential part of exercise therapy,static training has proven clinical efficacy.However,further evidence is required to reveal its mechanism of action provided by animal experiments.There are four major ways to establish static training animal models:pole climbing,hind-limb suspension,isometric-contraction weight bearing,and electrical stimulation.These models have been used to study diseases of the motor,circulatory,and endocrine systems,etc.,and the mechanism has got extensive exploration.It reviewed static training animal models and the research progress to provide theoretical evidence for static training's experimental research and mechanism exploration.

A study of Tai Chi and Qigong popularity in the United States based on the NHIS data / 国际中医中药杂志

Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) are regarded as major therapies of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and welcomed by increasing practitioners worldwide for their efficacy in various health issues. To better learn about the popularity of TCQ in the United States, the related data collected from 2007, 2012 and 2017 questionnaires of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were examined and analyzed. The result showed that adult TCQ practitioners in the US increased substantially from 2007-2017, the percentage of Tai Chi practitioners in adult population was 1.0% in 2007, and Qigong practitioners 0.3%; Tai Chi practitioners was 1.1% in 2012, and Qigong practitioners 0.3%; in 2017, Tai Chi practitioners was 1.5%, and Qigong practitioners 0.5%. The top three reasons for using TCQ were: 82.4% for general wellness or disease prevention, 64.6% to improve or enhance energy, and 35.1% recommended by family, friends or co-workers. The health benefits of TCQ, the demand for complementary therapies and increasing research evidences were positive factors for the growth, while there are also challenges including insufficiencies in scientific researches and lacking of standardized teaching system. To promote the future development of TCQ in the US and oversea countries, we should optimize the research methods and standardize the teaching system, encourage the exchange and training of TCQ related professionals, and promote the integration of TCQ into conventional medical system and other related industries.

Clinical study of Baduanjin combined with mecobalamin tablets for the patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Baduanjin combined with mecobalamin tablets in the treatment of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods:Eighty patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups with 40 patients in each group ( n=40). The control group took oral mecobalamin tablets and self-management, and the treatment group were treated with Baduanjin on the basis of the control group. All patients were treated for 12 weeks. The clinical symptoms were evaluated by Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), and the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) of tibial nerve and the sensory conduction velocity (SCV) of superficial peroneal nerve were measured by EMG evoked potential instrument. The hemorheological indexes (whole blood low shear viscosity, whole blood high shear viscosity and plasma viscosity) were measured before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and adverse events were recorded. Results:In the course of treatment, 39 patients in each group completed the study with each one dropout. The total effective rate was 87.2% (34/39) in the treatment group and 64.1% (25/39) in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=5.64, P=0.018). After treatment, the TCSS score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=-6.23, P<0.01), the tibial nerve MCV (43.06 ± 4.19 m/s vs. 39.55 ± 4.30 m/s, t=3.65), the superficial peroneal nerve SCV (43.23 ± 4.31 m/s vs. 39.92 ± 3.74 m/s, t=3.62) in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.001), while the whole blood high shear viscosity, the whole blood low shear viscosity, and the plasma viscosity in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group ( t value were -10.36, -14.21, -13.88, all Ps<0.001). During the treatment, no serious adverse events occurred in both groups. Conclusion:Baduanjin combined with mecobalamin tablets in the treatment of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy can reduce blood viscosity, promote blood circulation, increase nerve conduction velocity, improve clinical symptoms and signs, and improve clinical efficacy.

Aptidão funcional e qualidade de vida de idosos praticantes de Lian Gong, Tai Chi e Qigong / Aptitud funcional y calidad de vida de adultos mayores que practican Lian Gong, Tai Chi y Qigong / Functional fitness and quality of life of elderly Lian Gong, Tai Chi and Qigong practitioners

Resumo Objetivo Comparar a aptidão funcional e as dimensões da qualidade de vida de idosos participantes e não participantes das práticas orientadas Lian Gong, Tai Chi e Qigong. Métodos Estudo caso-controle, desenvolvido no município de São Paulo - SP, Brasil, com 118 idosos, pareados por sexo e idade: 59 no grupo caso, participantes das práticas corporais, divididos em subgrupos por tempo de adesão:< 24 meses e ≥ 24 meses; e 59 no grupo controle, não participantes das práticas. Para a coleta de dados, aplicaram-se: questionário com variáveis sociodemográficas e de saúde, testes funcionais e o instrumento Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com o programa R versão 3.3.2. Os dados foram inicialmente analisados de forma descritiva e, em seguida, efetuou-se regressão logística univariada e o teste Kruskal Wallis. Os aspectos éticos da pesquisa com seres humanos foram obedecidos. Resultados Verificou-se que, no grupo caso, idosos com tempo de adesão às práticas ≥ 24 meses apresentaram resultado superior no teste funcional de levantar e sentar da cadeira (p=0,006), bem como melhor desempenho nos seguintes domínios da qualidade de vida: dor (p= 0,003), vitalidade (p=0,021), aspectos emocionais (p=0,034) e saúde mental (p=0,020). Conclusão A participação nas práticas corporais, orientadas, Lian Gong, Tai Chi e Qigong pode contribuir para a qualidade de vida e a aptidão funcional de idosos.

Resumen Objetivo Comparar la aptitud funcional y las dimensiones de la calidad de vida de adultos mayores que participan y que no participan en prácticas orientadas Lian Gong, Tai Chi y Qigong. Métodos Estudio caso-control, realizado en el municipio de São Paulo - estado de São Paulo, Brasil, con 118 adultos mayores, pareados por sexo y edad: 59 en el grupo caso, participantes de las prácticas corporales, divididos en subgrupos por tiempo de participación: < 24 meses y ≥ 24 meses; y 59 en el grupo control, no participantes de las prácticas. Para la recopilación de datos, se aplicó un cuestionario con variables sociodemográficas y de salud, pruebas funcionales y el instrumento Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36). Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron con el programa R versión 3.3.2. Los datos se analizaron inicialmente de forma descriptiva y, a continuación, se realizó regresión logística univariada y la prueba de Kruskal Wallis. Los aspectos éticos de la investigación con seres humanos fueron cumplidos. Resultados Se verificó que, en el grupo caso, los adultos mayores con tiempo de participación en las prácticas ≥ 24 meses presentaron un resultado superior a la prueba funcional de levantarse y sentarse en la silla (p=0,006), como también un mejor desempeño en los siguientes dominios de calidad de vida: dolor (p= 0,003), vitalidad (p=0,021), aspectos emocionales (p=0,034) y salud mental (p=0,020). Conclusión La participación en las prácticas corporales orientadas Lian Gong, Tai Chi y Qigong puede contribuir para la calidad de vida y para la aptitud funcional de adultos mayores.

Abstract Objective To compare functional fitness and quality of life dimensions of elderly participants and non-participants of Lian Gong, Tai Chi and Qigong guided practices. Methods This is a case-control study, carried out in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, with 118 elderly people, matched by sex and age: 59 in the case group, participants in body practices, divided into subgroups by time of compliance: < 24 months and ≥ 24 months; and 59 in the control group, non-participants in body practices. For data collection, the following were applied: a questionnaire with sociodemographic and health variables, functional tests and the Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Statistical analyzes were performed using R version 3.3.2. The data were initially analyzed in a descriptive way and, then, a univariate logistic regression and the Kruskal Wallis test were performed. The ethical aspects of research with human beings were obeyed. Results It was found that, in the case group, elderly people with a time of compliance with practices ≥ 24 months showed a superior result in the functional 30-second chair stand test (p=0.006), as well as better performance in the following quality of life domains: bodily pain (p=0.003); vitality (p=0.021); role emotional (p=0.034); and mental health (p=0.020). Conclusion Participation in guided body practices, Lian Gong, Tai Chi and Qigong, can contribute to elderly people's quality of life and functional fitness.

Overview of systematic reviews/meta analyses on traditional exercise for the improvement of cardiopulmonary function / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the methodological quality and evidence quality of outcome of the systematic reviews/meta analyses on traditional exercise for the improvement of cardiopulmonary function.Methods:By searching for PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and CBM databases in Chinese or English, the Systematic Reviews/meta analysis of traditional exercises for improving cardiopulmonary function was conducted. The retrieval time was March 8th, 2020. The AMSTAR 2 scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the systematic review/meta-analysis that met the inclusion criteria. Since the included studies cannot reflect the overall effect of traditional exercises on improving cardiopulmonary function, and the methodological quality of systematic reviews was generally low, a secondary analysis of the RCT studies included in the systematic reviews was conducted. The methodological quality evaluation of the original RCT study adopted the Cochrane Reviewers’ Handbook Version 5.0.0 bias risk assessment method (Risk of Bias, ROB), and applied the Revman 5.3 software to merge the original RCT data. The GRADE system was used for evidence evaluation.Results:A total of 32 systematic reviews/meta analysis were included, and the AMSTAR2 scale indicated that only one of the 32 systematic reviews/meta included was of high-quality, 1 was of low-quality, and the others were of extremely low quality. A total of 57 RCTs were included in the 32 systematic reviews for bias risk assessment and data consolidation. GRADE evidence quality evaluation showed that 14 evidences were of medium quality, 26 evidences were of low quality, and 5 evidences were of extremely low quality.Conclusions:Traditional exercises can improve cardiopulmonary function, but with low evidence quality. Thus, clinicians should make clinical decisions based on conditions.

Liuzijue qigong for stroke survivors with dysarthria / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To document any improvement in the breathing control of stroke survivors with dysarthria after practicing Liuzijue qigong.Methods:A total of 157 stroke survivors with dysarthria and abnormal respiration control were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Both groups were given traditional breathing training and basic articulation training (including articulatory organ training and speech training). The observation group also received training in Liuzijue qigong. It requires inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth while producing the speech sounds xu, he, hu, si, chui and xi. The training lasted two weeks. Both groups were then evaluated using the modified Frenchay dysarthria assessment. Maximum phonation time, maximum counting ability and volume were also recorded as secondary indexes.Results:After the 2-week intervention, significant improvement was observed in the average scores on all of the indexes, with all of the observation group′s average scores except for volume significantly better than those of the control group. The average volume scores were significantly improved, but not significantly different.Conclusion:Supplementing basic articulation training with Liuzijue qigong can improve respiratory function and the speaking ability of stroke survivors with dysarthria. It is worthy of wider clinical application.

Efficacy evaluation of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises for osteoporosis: a network meta-analysis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises on osteoporosis (OP) using network meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search on Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Springer Link, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang) and Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) targeted the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying traditional Chinese exercises for OP published up to January 2020. Cochrane handbook was adopted to estimate the publication bias in the included studies, and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 when data were extracted. Results: Fifty RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, comprising a total of 4505 OP patients. The network meta-analysis showed that in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) was the most efficacious, followed by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), Ba Duan Jin (Eight-sectioned Exercise), Wu Qin Xi (Five-animal Exercises), sports training, drug and blank control; in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck, Yi Jin Jing was the most efficacious, followed by Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, blank control and drug; regarding the lumbar BMD, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, sports training, blank control and drug in the descending order of efficacy; in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, drug and blank control in the descending order of efficacy. Conclusion: The evidence to date suggests that the first choice for OP amongst the traditional Chinese exercises should be Yi Jin Jing, which can not only reduce the subjective pain, but also promote bone formation and increase BMD, though this conclusion requires more high-quality large-scale RCTs for further proof.

Effects of Shaolin Neigong on the strength and stability of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To collect, compare and analyze the changes in the strength and stability of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation before and after the training in Shaolin Neigong (internal Qigong). Methods: Ninety first-year undergraduates were randomized into three groups using the random number table method, with 30 people in each group. The Gongfa (Qigong method) group received training in both Shaolin Neigong and forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The manipulation group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The control group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation for one week. The ZTC-1 intelligent Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation parameter detection system was used to collect the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough difference of the strength and frequency of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation on the Z-axis (up and down), X-axis (left and right) and Y-axis (backward and forward) at weeks one, five and ten from the three groups. The collected data were then processed and analyzed. Results: The intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance in the Gongfa group and manipulation group (P<0.05). The strength and stability shown on the axes Z, X, and Y constantly grew with the increase of training time in the Gongfa group. The wave crest on the axes Z and Y steadily rose in the manipulation group, as well as the frequency on the axes Z, X and Y. The control group failed to show statistical significance in any of the three times of intra-group comparisons (P>0.05). The between-group comparisons showed statistical significance among the three groups at weeks five and ten (P<0.05). At week five, the wave crest on the axes Z, X, and Y, and the crest-trough difference on the axes X and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). At week ten, the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough differences on the axes Z, X, and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, presenting statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Practicing Shaolin Neigong can help the trainees reach the level of strength and frequency of Tuina clinicians in a shorter time in the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation training. It can advance the efficiency in studying the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation and promote the quality of the manipulation.

The idealist and pragmatist view of qi in tai chi and qigong: A narrative commentary and review / 中西医结合学报

Qi, often translated as "vital energy," is a central concept in tai chi and qigong that has puzzled physicians, scientists, and people in the West. To date, qi is not falsifiable by the scientific method and thus cannot be subject to scientific inquiry, leading many to criticize it as "pseudoscientific." Even as medical research reveals the health benefits of tai chi and qigong, many wonder how to treat this seemingly outdated concept when promoting these meditative practices. While some tai chi and qigong practitioners insist on the existence of qi, more skeptical thinkers suggest that a scientific understanding should replace this "superstitious" idea. Integrative health professionals must be equipped to discuss this concept intelligently by considering a couple of subtle, clarifying points often missing from the discussion. First, science's inability to verify qi's existence does not affirm its nonexistence. In fact, under the philosophical system of idealism, qi might not be said to be less real than things that are verifiable by science. Similarly, under the instrumental and pragmatic view of science, health professionals should be cautious not to declare what is metaphysically real or unreal but instead what is useful and not useful. Second, even though qi may be pseudoscientific, it remains useful and indispensable to the correct practice of tai chi and qigong. Tai chi and qigong practitioners routinely visualize and perceive the flow of qi to guide their movements, breathing, and mental activity. As such, qi and related metaphysical concepts serve as a useful mental model during practice, and belief in them may be viewed as an "expedient means" to achieve one's health goals.

The idealist and pragmatist view of qi in tai chi and qigong: A narrative commentary and review / 中西医结合学报

Qi, often translated as "vital energy," is a central concept in tai chi and qigong that has puzzled physicians, scientists, and people in the West. To date, qi is not falsifiable by the scientific method and thus cannot be subject to scientific inquiry, leading many to criticize it as "pseudoscientific." Even as medical research reveals the health benefits of tai chi and qigong, many wonder how to treat this seemingly outdated concept when promoting these meditative practices. While some tai chi and qigong practitioners insist on the existence of qi, more skeptical thinkers suggest that a scientific understanding should replace this "superstitious" idea. Integrative health professionals must be equipped to discuss this concept intelligently by considering a couple of subtle, clarifying points often missing from the discussion. First, science's inability to verify qi's existence does not affirm its nonexistence. In fact, under the philosophical system of idealism, qi might not be said to be less real than things that are verifiable by science. Similarly, under the instrumental and pragmatic view of science, health professionals should be cautious not to declare what is metaphysically real or unreal but instead what is useful and not useful. Second, even though qi may be pseudoscientific, it remains useful and indispensable to the correct practice of tai chi and qigong. Tai chi and qigong practitioners routinely visualize and perceive the flow of qi to guide their movements, breathing, and mental activity. As such, qi and related metaphysical concepts serve as a useful mental model during practice, and belief in them may be viewed as an "expedient means" to achieve one's health goals.

Effect of Shaolin internal qigong exercise on the surface electromyography signals of shoulder muscle groups in patients with capsulitis of the shoulder / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To unveil the efficacy of Shaolin internal qigong exercise in treating capsulitis of the shoulder (CS) and explore objective outcome measures by observing the changes in the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of shoulder muscle groups after regular practice of Shaolin internal qigong exercise in CS patients. Methods: Sixty CS patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the qigong group practiced Shaolin internal qigong exercise on a regular basis, while patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received EA treatment. Before and after treatment, the sEMG signals of six muscles, i.e. biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles, of the affected side were recorded at 45° abduction of the shoulder, 60° forward flexion and 90° internal rotation with the elbow flexed during maximal isometric contraction, and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) of each muscle was calculated. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the qigong group, higher than 83.3％ in the EA group (P<0.05). Intra-group comparison showed that the iEMG of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles in the qigong group increased significantly after intervention at 45° abduction of the shoulder, 60° forward flexion and 90° internal rotation with the elbow flexed (all P<0.05), and the iEMG of trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles decreased (both P<0.05); in the EA group, the iEMG of biceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles increased significantly during contraction (all P<0.05), while the iEMG of triceps brachii, trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles had no significant changes (all P>0.05). After intervention, there were significant differences in the iEMG of most of muscles between the two groups (all P<0.05), except for the iEMG of deltoid muscle at 45° of abduction of the shoulder joint during isometric contraction (P>0.05). Conclusion: Shaolin internal qigong exercise can effectively increase the motion intensity of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles and reduce the compensation of the latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles in CS patients; compared with EA, it produces a better result in improving the coordination and stability in shoulder joint movements.

Advance in Mindfulness-based Intervention for Stress-induced Autonomic Nervous System Activity (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Mental stress may influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, and associate with the development of several chronic diseases. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as meditation, Yoga and Taiji Quan, are able to improve mental stress and ANS activity, which is probably related to its effects on the cortex to improve overall mental conditions and parasympathetic tone.

Benefits of Qigong as an integrative and complementary practice for health: a systematic review / Benefícios do Qigong como prática integrativa e complementar para a saúde: revisão sistemática / Beneficios del Qigong como terapia alternativa y complementaria para la salud: una revisión sistemática

Objective: to analyze, in the literature, evidence about the benefits of the integrative and complementary practice of Qigong with regard to the health of adults and the elderly. Method: a systematic review by searching for studies in the PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials were included; in Portuguese, English and Spanish; from 2008 to 2018. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses strategy was adopted, as well as the recommendation of the Cochrane Collaboration for assessing the risk of bias in the clinical trials analyzed. Results: 28 studies were selected that indicated the benefit of the practice to the target audience, which can be used for numerous health conditions, such as: cancer; fibromyalgia; Parkinson's disease; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Burnout; stress; social isolation; chronic low back pain; cervical pain; buzz; osteoarthritis; fatigue; depression; and cardiovascular diseases. However, there was a great risk of bias in terms of the blinding of the research studies. Conclusion: the practice of Qigong produces positive results on health, mainly in the medium and long term. This study contributes to the advancement in the use of integrative and complementary practices in nursing, since it brings together the scientific production in the area from the best research results available.

Objetivo: analisar na literatura as evidências sobre os benefícios da prática integrativa e complementar de Qigong à saúde de pessoas adultas e idosas. Método: revisão sistemática mediante a busca de estudos nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE e Cochrane Library. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados e não randomizados; em português, inglês e espanhol; de 2008 a 2018. Adotou-se a estratégia Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, bem como a recomendação da Colaboração Cochrane para a avaliação do risco de viés dos ensaios clínicos analisados. Resultados: foram selecionados 28 estudos que indicaram o benefício da prática para o público-alvo, podendo ser utilizada para inúmeras condições de saúde, como: câncer; fibromialgia; Doença de Parkinson; Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica; Burnout; estresse; isolamento social; lombalgia crônica; dor cervical; zumbido; osteoartrite; fadiga; depressão; e doenças cardiovasculares. Notou-se, contudo, grande risco de viés no que tange ao cegamento das pesquisas. Conclusão: a prática de Qigong produz resultados positivos sobre a saúde, principalmente, a médio e longo prazo. Este estudo contribui para o avanço no uso de práticas integrativas e complementares na enfermagem uma vez que reúne a produção científica na área a partir dos melhores resultados de pesquisas disponíveis.

Objetivo: analizar las evidencias presentes en la literatura acerca de los beneficios del Qigong como práctica integradora y complementaria en relación a la salud de adultos y ancianos. Método: revisión sistemática mediante la búsqueda de estudios en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE y Cochrane Library. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y no aleatorizados en portugués, inglés y español, de 2008 a 2018. Se adoptó la estrategia Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, así como la recomendación de la Colaboración Cochrane empleada para evaluar el riesgo de sesgo de los ensayos clínicos analizados. Resultados: se seleccionaron 28 estudios que indicaron los beneficios de la práctica para el público objetivo, empleada en la afección de numerosos problemas de salud como cáncer, fibromialgia, Mal de Parkinson, Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica, Burnout, estrés, aislamiento social, lumbalgia crónica, dolor cervical, tinnitus, osteoartritis, fatiga, depresión y enfermedades cardiovasculares. No obstante, se registró un gran riesgo de sesgo en lo que se refiere al procedimiento de enmascaramiento de las investigaciones. Conclusión: practicar Qigong produce resultados positivos en la salud, principalmente, a mediano y largo plazo. Este estudio contribuye al avance en el uso de prácticas integradoras y complementarias en enfermería, ya que reúne la producción científica en el área, seleccionada a partir de los mejores resultados de las investigaciones disponibles.

Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects all races, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. With a high incidence ratio of one in every 68, it has become one of the most discussed psychiatric disorders. For this reason, the need for investigating novel treatments has been emerging. Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind-body technique, has already proven to be able to reduce symptoms of several physical and psychological illnesses.@*OBJECTIVE@#The purpose of this systematic review is to examine and categorize the current scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of Qigong on children suffering from autism spectrum disorders.@*SEARCH STRATEGY@#A systematic literature search of the electronic scientific databases PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov, BioMed Central, PubMed Central and Google Scholar was performed to identify studies of Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder.@*INCLUSION CRITERIA@#This review included randomized controlled trials, replication studies, retrospective studies and observational follow-up studies of Qigong on children with autism spectrum disorder. Case reports and case series were excluded.@*DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS@#Two researchers independently evaluated the methodological quality of all included studies. Any discrepancies were solved by discussion until consensus was achieved.@*RESULTS@#Our literature search identified 157 publications, and 10 additional publications from hand search of references. After duplicate removal, 103 records remained. After the title/abstract screening, 19 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation, 10 studies were included. Seven studies were conducted with small children with 2-6 years old employing Qigong massage, and three studies were conducted with older children aged 7-17 years old applying both Qigong massage (one study) and Neigong (two studies).@*CONCLUSION@#Studies demonstrated that Qigong has interesting and promising applicability and effect on children with autism spectrum disorder and should be tested further. Despite the need for more rigorous controlled studies, Qigong seems to be able to decrease severity of individual sensory, behavioural, and language components of autism, and improve self-control, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness as well as healthy-physical behaviour. Besides positive effect on children and adolescents, benefits seem to extend to parents and caregivers as well. However, quality of methodology seems to be insufficient to state that Qigong is an alternative to common behavioural therapies. We suggest that, until more investigation is performed, Qigong may only be used as a complement, or when behavioural therapies are not accessible.