The Benefits of Medical Qigong in Patients With Cancer: A Descriptive Pilot Study

Abstract

Medical Qigong (MQ) is a mind-body exercise that includes movement and meditation and is beneficial in reducing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, stress, pain, and incidence of falls. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether patients with cancer and survivors who participated in an MQ class experienced a change in fatigue, depression, and sleep from a preintervention evaluation to a postintervention evaluation. Participants were patients diagnosed with cancer who participated in MQ classes. Some were actively undergoing cancer treatment (e.g., surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy) and some were receiving no treatment. Patients diagnosed with cancer and enrolled in an MQ class were invited to participate. A packet of surveys was completed before the first class and before the final class. Scores showed a reduced depression score after completing the five-week MQ course. Those findings indicate that MQ is helpful in reducing some of the problems associated with cancer and cancer treatment.

Promoting Physical and Psychological Rehabilitation Activities and Evaluating Potential Links Among Cancer-Related Fatigue, Fear of Recurrence, Quality of Life, and Physiological Indicators in Cancer Survivors

“…QE, which is widely applied in complementary and alternative medicine, can increase blood circulation, improve lung and heart function, regulate homeostasis, moderate emotions, and allow self-healing. 20 - 22 …”

The Feasibility and Effects of Qigong Intervention (Mind-Body Exercise) in Cancer Patients With Insomnia: A Pilot Qualitative Study

“…However, they were motivated to attend sessions and even conducted additional home practice due to the ease of the Qigong style, as well as the effects of increased inner calm and improved sleep experienced, especially from the La Qi and Rou Fu methods which emphasize on meditation and relaxation. Considering that stress is one of the main causes [75][76][77] and aggravators of insomnia 4 in cancer patients and that previous studies have noted improvements in stress levels with mind-body exercises such as yoga 74 and Qigong, 78,79 though not objectively evaluated in this study, the stress reduction reported by participants may have contributed to the sleep improvements. Further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between Qigong, the perception of stress and one's state of wellbeing.…”

“…According to the holistic concept of Chinese Medicine, human must live in harmony with nature to achieve total health. 55 Zhineng Qigong is different from other forms of Qigong studied for insomnia in cancer patients, as the practice of Zhineng Qigong integrates the Qi of nature and the Qi of human 12,24 to synchronize the human body system with nature including the human circadian rhythm that affects sleep. 53,[56][57][58] Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility and potential effects of a 3-week Zhineng Qigong intervention for insomnia in cancer patients.…”

“…7 The condition affects up to 80% of cancer patients [4][5][6] and can often worsen other cancer-related symptoms. [8][9][10][11][12] Furthermore, prolonged insomnia is associated with poor adherence to medical treatments 13 and increased morbidity and mortality. 14,15 While cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is recommended as a first-line treatment for insomnia in cancer patients, [16][17][18][19] its usage is relatively low due to feasibility issues in clinical practice [20][21][22] and the lack of high-quality evidence.…”

“…25 There are consistent reports of the benefits of Qigong for treating cancer-related fatigue and improving quality of life. 25,[31][32][33] Other benefits of Qigong in this cohort include the improvement of depression, anxiety, 12,[33][34][35][36][37] cognitive function, 38 immune system markers, [38][39][40] and potentially survival. 41,42 Among the various styles of Qigong studied in cancer patients, 25 those involving Tai Chi, 32,40,[43][44][45] Chan Chuang 46 and Six Healing Sound Qigong 47 have reported significant improvement of sleep outcomes following the intervention.…”