Research Archive

A randomised pilot study has found that eight weeks of qigong improved self-esteem and mood in individuals with traumatic brain injury compared with controls. (Exercise intervention in brain injury: a pilot randomized study of Tai Chi Qigong. Clin Rehabil. 2009 Feb 23. [Epub ahead of print]). Meanwhile Spanish scientists have found that a month of qigong enhanced psychological wellbeing, including ...

Brain scans of meditators show that the effects of long-term meditation practice are carried over into non-meditating states. Many meditation techniques aim to increase awareness of ongoing experiences through sustained attention and detachment - observation of these experiences with the intent not to analyse or judge them. With long-term practice, meditators report that these qualities of increas ...

A small, uncontrolled UK pilot study has found evidence of benefit for qigong in treating chronic fatigue. Eighteen women were taught a qigong routine during weekly classes over six months, and asked to practise it daily for 15 minutes. Participants completed a medical questionnaire and a sleep diary during the two-week baseline control period, and at three and six months following the start of th ...

In Australia, a team investigating the use of medical qigong therapy (MQ) has found that it can improve cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). In a randomised controlled trial, 162 patients received either MQ (gentle exercise, relaxation, meditation and breathing exercises based on Chinese medical theory) or usual care. The MQ group benefited from significant improvements in overall QOL, fatigue ...

Forty-four elderly subjects (mean age 69) with knee osteoarthritis were randomised to an eight-week tai chi qigong training programme or a waiting list control group. The tai chi programme involved twice-weekly tai chi qigong sessions lasting 60 minutes. The tai chi group showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life and time taken to complete a six mile walk. WOMAC scores for t ...

American authors have reviewed intervention studies using tai chi and qigong (TC & QG) in order to identify the physical and psychological health outcomes shown to be associated with TC & QG in adults over 55. Based on specific inclusion criteria, studies with a total of 3,799 participants were included in the review. The authors identified five categories of study outcomes, including fall ...