Qigong and Breast Cancer Study -April 2017
This study used a strong research methodology as a RCT with a large sample of 158 women. The results show strong support for this Guolin Qigong practice as a treatment modality.
It was performed twice a week for 24 weeks with testing at 12, 24, and 48 weeks.
The impact was particularly strong on the participants’ emotional well-being and quality of life. The Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) levels improvement demonstrated practicing qigong had an effect on their immunological function (e.g. regulating the immune function and inflammation).
Abstract
Qual Life Res. 2017 Apr 18. doi: 10.1007/s11136-017-1576-7. [Epub ahead of print]
The efficacy of Guolin-Qigong on the body-mind health of Chinese women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial.
Liu P, You J, Loo WTY, Sun Y, He Y, Sit H, Jia L, Wong M, Xia Z, Zheng X, Wang Z, Wang N, Lao L, Chen J.
PURPOSE:
This study was to evaluate the efficacy of a complementary Chinese treatment modality Guolin-Qigong (GLQG) for patients with breast cancer on the body-mind health.
METHODS:
A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 158 women with breast cancer. Subjects were randomized to receive GLQG (test group) versus a physical stretching program (control group) following conventional treatment for breast cancer. GLQG and stretching interventions were performed twice a week over 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in quality of life (QoL). Secondary outcome measures included anxiety, depression, and clinical indicators. All participants were assessed at four time-points, at the beginning of the study (T1), after 12 weeks of the intervention (T2), immediately after 24-week intervention (T3), and at 48-week follow-up visit (T4).
RESULTS:
Improvements in QoL were evident in both groups but the test group fared better than the control group at the 12th week (P < 0.01) and particularly in emotional well-being (P < 0.01) and breast cancer-specific well-being (P < 0.001). The test group showed an improvement in anxiety levels (P < 0.01), whereas the control group showed improvements in depression (P < 0.05) but there was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Both groups showed improvements in immunological function and the test group fared better than the control in TNF-α levels (P < 0.05). The results in subjects who practiced more than 4 times and 6 h per week were similar to that of all subjects; however, the improvement in anxiety in the GLQG group was more obvious. There are positive correlations between QoL and anxiety and depression.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both GLQG and physical stretching are beneficial during recovery following breast cancer. GLQC was more effective in terms of Qol improvements than physical stretching. Both programs brought improvements in anxiety or depression but had were comparable. GLQC group had a greater effect on immunological function than physical exercise.
KEYWORDS: Breast cancer; Guolin-Qigong; Immune function; Quality of life; RCT; Tumor marker
PMID: 28421384
DOI:10.1007/s11136-017-1576-7
