Effect of Liuzijue Qigong on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with a substantial and increasing social and economic burden. Liuzijue Qigong is a kind of traditional Chinese Qigong exercises that Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners prescribe to individuals with COPD to strengthen the internal organs’ function. Liuzijue Qigong was recommended for use in COPD rehabilitation, and some clinical trials indicate that Liuzijue Qigong would produce better functional capacity and quality of life of individuals with COPD. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the existing studies to assess effectiveness and safety of Liuzijue Qigong for the prevention or treatment of COPD in patients.Methods:We will perform the comprehensive literature search in English and Chinese electronic database. The publication period will be from inception to the search date. In addition, the clinical trial registries, dissertations, informal publication, grey literature, reference lists of studies, systematic reviews, and conference abstracts will also be collected. Two reviewers will identify relevant studies, extract data information, and then assess the methodical quality by the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Only randomized controlled trials comparing Liuzijue Qigong against other intervention or nonintervention will be included. Data will be synthesized by either fixed-effect or random-effect model regarding to a heterogeneity test. The routine lung function, arterial blood gas tensions, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, functional capacity, 30 seconds sit-to-stand test, respiratory function, maximal inspiration pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, airway resistance, and specific airway conductance will be assessed as primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes involved dyspnea, and fatigue levels, respiratory muscle strength, upper and lower limb muscle strength, handgrip strength test, and health-related quality of life and safety. Meta-analysis will be performed by using Cochrane's Review Manager software (version 5.3.5).Results:This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide a high-quality synthesis and evaluate the efficacy and safety based on current relevant literature evidence of Liuzijue Qigong intervention for COPD patient.Conclusion:Our systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether Liuzijue Qigong is an effective and safe approach to prevention and treatment of COPD patients.

Effect of qigong exercise and acupressure rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial

“…23 Qigong exercise comprises abdominal breathing and pursed-lip breathing, which can slow the breathing rate and improve the patient's breathing difficulties. 19 During the pronunciation of the 6 different sounds, the corresponding movement of the upper limbs not only increases the volume of the chest cavity and deepens breathing 24 but may also help to loosen the adhesion of mucus to the epithelium of the respiratory tract. In addition, many studies have shown that applying pressure on acupoints related to the lungs helps improve dyspnea.…”

Liuzijue is a promising exercise option for rehabilitating discharged COVID-19 patients

“…TCEs are regarded as a form of mind-body intervention for the treatment of various chronic diseases. [ 8 ] Among the TCEs, Liuzijue, one of the New Health Exercise Series compiled by the China Qigong Management Center, is the most popular exercise in ancient Chinese literature. [ 9 , 10 ] Liuzijue involves inhalation and exhalation through different mouth patterns to regulate and control the rise and fall of the breath in the body.…”

Effect and safety of traditional Chinese exercises (Qigong therapy) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[24,25] Liuzijue Qigong is featured by diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing can make COPD patients breathing rate slowly and prevent the premature airway occlusion caused by rapid airflow to improve the abnormal breathing pattern of patients. [26] It is helpful for the function of the auxiliary breathing muscles and enhances the flexibility, coordination, and control capacity on neuromuscular limbs to further improve exercise capacity in patients with COPD. [27]…”