This RCT provided some evidence to support the positive effect of HQG as an adjunct home exercise for rehabilitation among people with COPD and to support further related research.

We aimed to unravel the clinical benefits and the plausible underlying psychophysiological mechanism based on available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Meta-analysis of 26 RCTs shortlisted from electronic databases from 1997 to 2006 shows that qigong had some effects on increasing the numbers of white blood cells and lymphocytes, stroke volume, peak early transmitral filling velocity, peak late transmitral filling velocity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume, and, conversely, lowering of total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and depressive mood scores. Explanatory pathways may pertain to stress reduction via nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Limitations on methodology are discussed and directions for further studies are suggested. Because of its safety, minimal cost, and clinical benefit, health qigong can be advocated as an adjunctive exercise therapy for older people with chronic conditions.

Conclusion: This study solidifies the concept that both HQG and PR produce positive effects on subjective symptoms and functions among COPD patients, and also provided evidence that HQG can induce additional effects compared to conventional PR.

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This systematic review supports the therapeutic value of QG/TC in patients with COPD and highlights areas for future research.

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Aims This two-phased pilot study intended to validate the potential therapeutic values and applicability of a Health Qigong protocol as an alternative home exercise programme for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and test its safety before proceeding to a randomized controlled trial. Methods Eight experts in the area of pulmonary rehabilitation and traditional Chinese medicine were recruited to evaluate the Health Qigong protocol using a questionnaire specifically designed for the purpose. The safety of this protocol was then tested among eight participants with COPD in a field test. Safety indicators included physiological parameters, including pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, as well as perceived symptoms. Results All experts recognized that there were potential benefits of the Health Qigong protocol, and made suggestions as to how the protocol could be revised for COPD patients. No serious adverse event was reported in the field test. Conclusions The Health Qigong protocol is safe when applied to patients with COPD and has potential to be used an adjunct intervention in rehabilitation of COPD. The results support progression to the randomized controlled trial.

Objective This study explored factors which predict stroke survivors who could achieve “clinically significant functional gain” and return home when being discharged from a local hospital after in-patient stroke rehabilitation programme. Methods This study included 562 inpatients with stroke who were residing at community dwellings before onset of stroke, and transferred to a convalescent hospital for rehabilitation from four acute hospitals over one year. The main outcome variables of prediction were (a) achieving “clinically significant functional gain” as measured by (a1) achievement of “minimal clinically important difference” (MCID) of improvement in Functional Independence Measure Motor Measure (FIM-MM)”, (a2) one or more level(s) of improvement in function group according to the patients’ FIM-MM, and (b) discharge to home. Sixteen predictor variables were identified and studied firstly with univariate binary logistic regression and those significant variables were then put into multivariate binary logistic regression. Results Based on multivariate regression, the significant predictors for “clinically significant functional gain” were: younger age <75 years old, higher Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission, with haemorrhagic stroke, intermediate FIM-MM function group. Those significant predictors for “discharge to home” were: living with family/caregivers before stroke, higher FIM score at admission, and one or more level(s) of improvement in FIM-MM function group. Conclusions This study identified findings consistent with overseas studies in additional to some new interesting findings. Early prediction of stroke discharge outcomes helps rehabilitation professionals and occupational therapists to focus on the use of appropriate intervention strategies and pre-discharge preparation.