Qualitative Analysis of a Controlled Trial of Qigong for Fibromyalgia: Advancing Understanding of an Emerging Health Practice

Abstract

This retrospective qualitative analysis of information collected in an RCT of qigong for fibromyalgia indicates that favorable initial experiences with the practice over 8 weeks predispose to continued practice and more health effects. Future individual trials and meta-analyses of qigong will need to attend to the amount, and potentially quality, of practice undertaken in considering trial outcomes.

Qigong and Fibromyalgia circa 2017

“…An extension trial involving the addition of further instruction in qigong (forms of meditation) further supports the observation that benefits are related to the amount of practice [ 27 ]. Qualitative information from an RCT (qigong for 6 months) [ 29 ], and the extension trial (qigong ≥ 12 months) [ 27 ], indicates that, in addition to positive comments on core domains that essentially recapitulate the quantitative information (pain, sleep, impact, physical and mental function), health benefits in other areas also are reported (e.g., food allergies, chemical sensitivities, asthma, sleep apnea, migraines, and blood pressure). In those who practiced qigong extensively via involvement in community-based venues (1–3 years), marked health benefits occurred in FM symptomology (pain absent or minimal; other core domains improved), and there were additional benefits (e.g., irritable bowels, food sensitivities, headaches, blood pressure, and skin) [ 28 ].…”

“…External qigong presents unique additional challenges in relation to the nature of the intervention and mechanisms by which health changes occur [ 1 ]. It should be noted that some RCTs included sessions of external qigong in addition to the self-practice or internal qigong that was the intervention under investigation [ 19 , 27 ] and that external qigong sessions were also involved in cases of extensive practice [ 29 ].…”

Fibromyalgia & Movement Therapies

“…The efficacy of Qigong in the treatment of fibromyalgia was well documented in 2014 in a review by Sawynok & Lynch [11]. In their work the authors summarized some controlled trials together with other additional concerns discussing relevant methodological issues.…”

Efeitos da biometenergia de praticantes de meditação prânica sobre as dores crônicas de coluna vertebral

“…[1][2][3][4] As evidências de efeitos positivos associados às modalidades de meditação que utilizam técnicas de captação e projeção de prana para o reequilíbrio da saúde física e mental e para reduzir a gravidade ou facilitar a recuperação de algumas doenças têm sido bem relatadas. Já foram comprovados efeitos benéficos observados em pacientes com artrite, 68 diabetes, 69 sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, 70,71 hipertensão arterial, 72 fibromialgia, 73 câncer, 74 e dores crônicas, especialmente aquelas que afetam a coluna, 75,76 o que comprova a importância de se utilizar essas modalidades como método complementar preventivo e terapêutico na prática médica. Práticas meditativas não só podem propiciar a melhora da saúde daqueles que são praticantes como também podem promover o restabelecimento da saúde de uma outra pessoa, por meio de tratamento a distância.…”