Conceptualizations of Qigong in Chinese and English Research Literature: The Overlooked Cultural Knowledge of "State of Unity" and "Heart".

Qigong belongs to the tradition of self-healing and traditional Chinese ethnic sport. In a scientific context, how Qigong is conceptualized influences the quality and comparability of research. Unfortunately, the concept of Qigong is vague. The aim of this paper is to explore the conception of Qigong by comparing the similarities and differences in the notions of Qigong published in Chinese and English literature. A case-based comparative method is used to analyze Chinese and English notions of Qigong. These 2 cases are compared using a conceptual frame of reference. The results show that the conceptual structure of the 2 cases is similar. The most essential cultural knowledge "state of unity," as the unique mechanism of healing and the aim of Qigong, is overlooked in the Chinese and English notions. In addition, the Chinese cultural knowledge "Heart" is translated into the English word mind. Vagueness about the aim of Qigong ("state of unity") and the cultural trait of the "Heart" (vs "mind" in English) hinders the quality and comparability of research. Researchers should, therefore, be more precise about these essential cultural aspects of knowledge when the concept of Qigong is defined and its effectiveness studied.

Qigong and mindfulness-based mood recovery: exercise experiences from a single case.

Sara, the participant in this single case study, had to leave work due to burnout. She is now recovered and working, but still complains of disturbed moods and worries about getting burned out again. The aim of this study was to, by way of Qigong and mindfulness exercise, increase the participant's positive mood to a functional level and to increase exercise experiences by combining mindfulness and Qigong practice. The professional practice intervention was planned to last twelve weeks, combining mindfulness practice and three different Qigong exercise techniques. Exercise behavior was noted daily, stress-energy and wellness were followed up weekly, and mindfulness was followed up after four, nine and 12 weeks. Sara feels that her moods (more energy, wellness and joy, as well as less stress and worry) have stabilized at a high level (good to very good), and her mindfulness score also improved to a high level (4.2 on a six-point scale). Sara also states that she enjoys life more: accepts stressful situations as they are, is less worried about becoming burned out again, and is more open to life. Exercise professionals may use mindfulness practice and Qigong exercise when recovering moods, probably even better in preventing burnout syndromes.

Effects of scheduled qigong exercise on pupils' well-being, self-image, distress, and stress.

OBJECTIVES: Psychologic problems is increasing among pupils and has become a major problem in Sweden as well as in other Western countries. The aim of this study was to explore whether scheduled qigong exercise could have an effect on well-being at school, psychologic distress, self-image, and general stress. SUBJECTS: Pupils, 13-14 years, were assigned to either a qigong group or a control group. INTERVENTION: The qigong group had scheduled qigong 2 times a week for 8 weeks. MEASURES: Self-reported well-being at school, psychologic distress, self-image, and stress were measured pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: The control group had reduced well-being at school during the semester and the qigong group was stable. The qigong group reduced psychologic distress and stress, and had a tendency to improved self-image, whereas no changes were found in the control group. Self-image explains 47% (R(2) = 0.47) of well-being at school, and stress explains 29% (R(2) = 0.29) of psychologic distress. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled qigong, meditative movement, is a possible way to improve well-being at school.

Exercise intention, age and stress predict increased qigong exercise adherence.

Adherence to exercise is paramount if desired health effects are to be achieved. Drop-out rates in excess of 50% have been reported, with the intensity of the exercise performed frequently blamed. Qigong is a low-intensity mind-body technique that may offer an alternative to more intense modes of exercise. The aim of this study was therefore, to determine if exercise motives, exercise intention, age, stress and energy levels predict adherence to qigong exercise. Participants (n=87) were assessed by self-rated retrospective physical activity behavior, by performed qigong exercise and concentration level, and by sport motivation scale, planned behavior questionnaire, and stress and energy scale. Exercise intention, age and stress predicted exercise frequency (R(2)=.29); when level of concentration (a non-baseline assessment) was included as a predictor, prediction strength increased (R(2)=.38). Results suggest that health-professionals who are aiming to secure activity adherence and exercise frequency, should focus on strengthening the individual's intention to exercise, promoting a calm energy state before commencement of exercise, and encouraging a heightened level of concentration during exercise.

Intrinsically motivated qigong exercisers are more concentrated and less stressful.

Low-intensity qigong exercise has been suggested as an alternative to more vigorous exercise when striving for health benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether self-determined motivation and perceived stress are related to concentration during exercise, and to the amount of exercise carried out. Leisure-time qigong exercisers (n = 279) were assessed by using the Sport Motivation Scale, Stress and Energy Scale, and by self-rated Concentration. Exercise sessions per week, Session time, and ability to Set a time for exercise, and perceived Disturbance during exercise were also recorded. Participants who were in a Calm energy mood (low-stress, high-energy, able to set a time for exercise), displayed an increased Concentration on qi-flow (R(2) = 0.13) during exercise. An elevated stress-level correlated negatively with Health, Energy, Concentration, Sessions per week, Session time, Sessions performed during the previous week, ability to Set a time for exercise, and feeling Undisturbed during exercise (all p < 0.01). Intrinsic motivation was positively correlated with Concentration (0.24, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with Stress (-0.19, p < 0.05). Individuals who adhere to a regular qigong exercise regimen are more intrinsically motivated, less stressed, and more concentrated while exercising than those who do not adhere to a regular regime. This suggests that health-professionals need to be aware of these factors when prescribing qigong exercise for health benefits.

Qigong exercise with concentration predicts increased health.

Regular physical activity has many positive health effects. Despite this, approximately 50% of all adults are not exercising enough to enjoy better health and may, therefore, need an alternative to vigorous physical exercise. Qigong offers a gentle way to exercise the body. A questionnaire sample of 253 participants was collected and correlations with the variable health-now were analyzed. Results showed that health-now was positively correlated with number of completed qigong courses (p < 0.05), with level of concentration (p < 0.01), session-time (p < 0.01), and years of practice (p < 0.05). Among these variables, concentration predicts an increased feeling of health (R(2) = 0.092). Qigong exercise thereby seems to offer a viable alternative to other more vigorous physical activities when wellness is the primary goal. When interpreted using self-determination theory, qigong seems to satisfy needs related to autonomy, competence and relatedness, thereby, primarily attracting individuals who are intrinsically motivated.