This timely article reviews twelve recent studies on Tai Chi and Qigong and its impact on cancer survivors. Using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager, a total of 915 subjects from 12 studies conducted since 2014 studying Qigong and Tai Chi treatments were reviewed. As before, the evidence is very supportive.  The studies all had controls, and compared usual care, support groups, waitlist control or sham Qigong control. The Qigong/Tai Chiinterventions had positive effects on reducing the clinical symptoms of fatigue, sleep difficulties, anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms, and improved overall quality of life. The only editorial comment is to watch for the sudden reversal in the graphs for which side showed the impact. For the first two graphs, the control results appeared on the left and the Qigong/Tai Chi results showed on the right.  For the remaining graphs, the Qigong/Tai Chi results showed on the left, and the control results appeared on the right. 

Written by CJ Rhoads, December 26, 2020.  

This article is the first meta-analysis of available literature on the effect of TaiChi/Qigong exercise [TCQE] on Essential Hypertension [EH] patients. The focus was on the effect of TCQE on blood pressure and blood levels of Nitric Oxide and Endothelin-1 in EH patients. Nine randomized controlled trials were cited involving 516 EH patients, with an intervention duration lasting from 1.5 to 6 months. The conclusions are very positive, showing that TCQE can be an effective treatment of EH. 

Summary by Dr. Charles Garrettson, George Mason University

Two research studies on stroke - one for prevention and one for Quality of Life post stroke

Article 1- Stroke Prevention

Improved Mental Health in  Elders with Long-term Tai chi Practice

This well done, rigorous study offers a look into the impact of long term tai chi practice on the brain in elders. Decreased regret and judgment (rumination) were two interesting findings that could help elders avoid depression caused by rumination. 

Qigong for Anti-Aging for those under age 65 and Frail Older Adults

Advice to Qigong Teachers

This qualitative research study looked at adherence to ongoing practice at home. 

Key lessons learned that can benefit qigong teachers:

The effect of tai chi and Qigong exercise on depression and anxiety of individuals with substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is a scarcity of systematic reviews summarizing the clinical evidence of the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong among individuals with substance use disorders. This study tries to fill this gap by measuring the effects of each in substance abuse treatment. The findings suggest a potentially beneficial effect of Qigong exercise on symptoms of anxiety among individuals with drug abuse, but no significant effect from Tai chi. The study found that qigong reduced anxiety and depression. One of the benefits of relaxation is the effect on the limbic system to replace the numbing effect of  drugs. With qigong individuals  experience less  anxiety and perhaps the chance of relapse is reduced.  Qigong practice reduced the pleasure dissonance and improved cognitive control with simplicity of movement. This is a small metastudy and more research is needed but preliminary results are positive, noting that Qigong may reduce the need for medication therapy

The effect of tai chi and Qigong exercise on depression and anxiety of individuals with substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Complement Med Ther 2020 May 29;20(1):161.doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02967-8.

Benefits of Qigong as an integrative and complementary practice for health: a systematic review

Nurses are using various forms of complementary medicine for patients in western health care systems.  The purpose of this article was to review and analyze the literature for the  integrative and complementary practice of Qigong with regard to the benefits to the health of adults.

This literature review is an interesting overview of 28 studies ranging from cancer to low back pain and tinnitus. The 28 articles span the years of 2008-2018amd  include: cancer; fibromyalgia; Parkinson's disease; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Burnout; stress; social isolation; chronic low back pain; cervical pain; buzz (tinnitus); osteoarthritis; fatigue; depression; and cardiovascular diseases.  It is interesting to note that the researchers included physicians, physical and occupational therapists, a pharmacist, and nurses.  The research locations included studies from all over the world. This reinforces the need to strengthen the use of integrative and complementary practices, such as the Qigong, in health care with a view to ensuring comprehensiveness and to improving the health care assistance offered to adults and elderly individuals.

Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing- Evaluation of a British Lung Foundation Pilot

Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of death and disability throughout the world.  The British Lung Foundation Pilot study examined the effects of a 12 movement sequence of Tai Chi on the level of difficulty breathing, anxiety and physical function over a three month period .  The 12 simple movements were used to  simplify the practice so it could be done by anyone, no matter what level of disability.  There were four objective measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and the progress of the participants.  Fifty five percent of the participants completed the program, and a positive trend was noted for all of these participants.

The main perceived benefits were a decrease in breathlessness and improved ability to relax. More research is needed in this area as a potential alternative to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation.

Qigong for Low Back pain

This article is a review of the current literature on the effectiveness of treating lower back pain via MMBI: Movement Based Mind-Body Interventions. Rigorous screening was conducted in choosing which articles to consider. At present, 80% of American adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. No thoroughly effective treatment exists, though research does exist as to the varying effectiveness of certain exercises. Otherwise, all that is currently offered is either pain medications [oftentimes opioids], surgery, and/or injections. This article, however, reports MMBI can not only reduce back pain, but also the psychological stress that often times accompanies it, especially with chronic back pain patients. The majority of articles reviewed had to do with yoga, which did show clear effectiveness in relieving this condition. Both tai chi and qigong also showed promising results, but more research needs to be conducted on both in order to be more conclusive.

Summary written by Dr. Charles Garrettson, George Mason University

June 2020 Blog

Qigong has the potential to play a role in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Potential mechanisms of action include stress reduction, emotion regulation, strengthening of respiratory muscles, reduction of inflammation, and enhanced immune function.

Two groups of women were studied in-depth and contrasted to help clarify if just long term brisk walking regularly or long term practicing tai chi regularly helped more with cognitive function in later years (seniors).  Based upon the results, The tai chi group did much better on the cognitive tests, and demonstrated changes in the characteristics of brain matter compared to either walking or the control group.  Each group practiced either brisk walking regularly, or tai chi regularly, for an average of six years prior to the testing.  The investigators note that tai chi may attenuate the neural network of the human brain, influencing and staving off age-associated cognitive decline.  They conclude that long term tai chi training is more conducive than walking to optimize the brain structure and promote efficient brain function.

Description by Dr. CJ Rhoads, M.Ed., D.Ed, Kutztown University 

Qigong Mind-Body Exercise as a Biopsychosocial Therapy for Persistent Post-Surgical Pain in Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

This study was a meta-analysis discussing the possible mechanisms in which qigong may relieve depression. Seven studies were included in their review, which showed that qigong has a significant effect on improving depression (and lowering diastolic blood pressure). Based on the results of their review, the authors concluded that the most likely neurophysiological explanation as to how qigong helps improve symptoms of depression is through its effects on the autonomic nervous system, particularly enhancing the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Summary written by Joseph Baumgarden, DPT

Given the concerns about Coronavirus, this article shows the benefits of qigong practice to boost the immune response.

Acute Effects on the Counts of Innate and Adaptive Immune Response Cells After 1 Month of Taoist Qigong Practice 

This study examined the effects of tai chi and Functional Electrical Stimulation of lower limb muscles on the recovery of older adults with chronic heart failure. There were 1084 participants divided into 4 groups- a control group with no intervention, a group who performed tai chi exercises only, a group who received FES to their quadriceps and calves only, and a combined tai chi and FES group. Participants were > 70 years of age, and the interventions lasted for 12 weeks.

Know the Evidence Update- 2019

A report of the NQA Research and Education Committee

This report is greatly encouraging for all qigong practitioners at all levels. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS] is widespread, under-studied, under-reported and, as of yet, has no cure. This study, however, provides compelling evidence that qigong can be an effective remedy to this debilitating condition. 

Longer term Benefits of Tai Chi for People who are Obese

The World Health Organization has identified the top three factors that cause death worldwide as hypertension, smoking, and high cholesterol (hypercholesteremia).  As we age, we experience a decrease in physiological and heart function, reduction in the elasticity of blood vessels, increased viscosity of blood, and a reduction of pulmonary capacity and function.  Arteries lose their elasticity and flexibility which results in increased resistance to blood flow with increased blood pressure, cardiac insufficiency and other cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is a risk factor in heart disease, diabetes and many other illnesses, and often finding the right type of exercise is difficult for the obese adult.

This study involved 55 healthy right–handed subjects, among which, 23 Chen style Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners and 32 control subjects were matched for sex, age, and education. All TCC practitioners have been practicing and teaching TCC for more than 5 years. The control participants with no TCC practice were recruited from local community as the non–sports population. 

Using functional near–infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) which can be used to measure the amount of hemoglobin in the blood of a desired area of the brain,  this study measured the resting state and TCC movement state of ordinary people and long–term TCC practitioners, in order to explore the mechanism of action of TCC and the change of brain function in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), Motor Cortex (MC) and Occipital Cortex (OC) of TCC training by using fNIRS.