Explore the vast range of titles available.

Currently, qigong and tai chi exercises are the two most common preventive as well as therapeutic interventions for chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the quantitative evaluation of these interventions is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of qigong and tai chi intervention in middle-aged and older adults with T2DM. The study included 103 eligible participants, who were randomized to participate for 12 weeks, in one of the following intervention groups for the treatment of T2DM: fitness qigong, tai chi, and control group. Three biochemical measures, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and C-peptide (C-P) levels, assessed at baseline and 12 weeks, served as the primary outcome measures. During the training process, 16 of the 103 participants dropped out. After the 12-week intervention, there were significant influences on HbA1C ( F 2,83 = 4.88, p = 0.010) and C-P levels ( F 2,83 = 3.64, p = 0.031). Moreover, significant reduction in C-P levels was observed after 12-week tai chi practice ( p = 0.004). Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the duration of T2DM and the relative changes in FPG levels after qigong intervention, and the relative changes in HbA1C levels were positively correlated with waist-to-height ratio after tai chi practice. Our study suggests that targeted qigong exercise might have a better interventional effect on patients with a longer duration of T2DM, while tai chi might be risky for people with central obesity. Trial registration: This trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The registration number is ChiCTR180020069 . The public title is “Health-care qigong · study for the prescription of chronic diabetes intervention.”

Drawn from ancient documents of Chinese and Tibetan medicine, and including explanatory commentaries and over 700 drawings from the original texts, this book presents authentic ancient Qigong forms in an easy-to-follow format. Focusing on health practices, the selected forms also include Qigong for more esoteric purposes.

•Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE) and gentle exercise improve quality of life in breast cancer survivors.•QG/TCE and gentle exercise improve cognitive function and increase physical activity in BCSs.•QG/TCE may play a role in weight reduction in BCSs. Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience symptoms affecting overall quality of life (QOL), often for a prolonged period post-treatment. Meditative Movement (MM), including Qigong and Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE), has demonstrated benefit for improving QOL issues such as fatigue and sleep, but there is limited evidence of its impact on cognitive function, overall physical activity, and body weight for BCSs. This double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study with 87 female BCSs explored effects of QG/TCE on mental and physical QOL (Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form), cognitive function (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function and two cognitive performance tests from the WAIS III), overall levels of physical activity (PA)(Brief Physical Activity Questionnaire) and body mass index (BMI). Twelve weekly sessions of QG/TCE were compared to sham Qigong (SQG), a gentle movement control intervention similar to QG/TCE but without the focus on breathing and meditative state. Both groups demonstrated pre-to-post-intervention improvements in physical and mental health, level of PA, self-reported cognitive function, and cognitive performance tests, though without significant differences between QG/TCE and SQG. For a subset of women enrolled later in the study, a significant reduction in BMI [−0.66 (p=0.048)] was found for QG/TCE compared to SQG. Practices that include gentle movement (such as QG/TCE or our sham protocol) among women with a history of breast cancer may improve many facets of the cancer experience, including QOL, cognitive function, and PA patterns. Practicing QG/TCE may show some advantage for BMI reduction compared to non-meditative gentle exercise.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Baduanjin qigong on improving lung function and postoperative quality of life of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to find an effective home-based pulmonary rehabilitation method. Methods A randomised controlled trial was carried out from July 2019 to October 2021, which included 216 NSCLC postoperative participants from Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, including the observation (n = 108) group and the control group (n = 108). The control group was given routine lung rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given Baduanjin qigong. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks.The patient's age, sex, smoking history, lung cancer stage, pathological type were recorded. Related indicators of lung function, 6-min walk distance(6MWD), Piper fatigue Scale, and Borg dyspnea score before and after intervention were recorded. Results Compared with these indicators before indicators, lung function, 6MWD, Piper fatigue Scale score and Borg score were significantly better in the two groups after intervention (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in FVC%, 6MWD and Borg score between the two groups (P > 0.05), whereas FEV 1 % and Piper fatigue Scale scores in the observation group were better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Both Baduanjin qigong and traditional pulmonary rehabilitation methods can improve the postoperative lung function and quality of life of patients with NSCLC; and compared with traditional pulmonary rehabilitation training, Baduanjin Qigong may have certain advantages in relieving cancer-related fatigue and FEV 1 %, and may be another new method of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with NSCLC. Trial registration Clinical Trial No. : ChiCTR1900025121.

Purpose Patients with advanced cancer frequently experience anxiety, depression and poor quality of life (QOL), as well as physical symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Physical exercise has potential to help control these symptoms but the optimal training prescription is still not clear. We performed a study comparing medical Qigong (QG) and standard endurance and strength training (SET) in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung (NSCLC) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Methods A randomized, cross-over study was performed in patients with advanced NSCLC and GI cancers receiving or eligible for chemotherapy. Patients received supervised QG or SET twice-weekly for 6 weeks. Psychological functioning, QOL, symptoms and physical functioning were assessed before and after each intervention period. Results Nineteen patients completed both interventions. Comparing interventions revealed no difference between QG and SET on change in anxiety or depression scores or QOL. However, SET treatment was better at improving perceived strength ( P  = 0.05) and walking distance ( P  = 0.02). The order in which interventions were performed had a significant impact on the improvement in certain symptoms (sleep quality, breathlessness, P  < 0.05), QOL ( P =  0.01) and walking distance ( P  = 0.008). In all cases, the beneficial effects of the exercise interventions were markedly reduced during the second interval. Conclusions QG and SET are equivalent in their impact on many aspects of psychological function in cancer patients. However, SET leads to greater improvements in exercise capacity and helps reduce some symptoms. The reduction in beneficial effect of SET on exercise function when offered as the second intervention is a new finding that warrants further study.

Background Cognitive impairment is common in chronic schizophrenia patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of Shen-based Qigong Exercise (SBQE) in improving the cognitive impairment of stable schizophrenia patients in rehabilitation wards. Methods SBQE is derived from the theory of “body-spirit syncretism (xin shen he yi)” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is extracted from the four traditional Qigong techniques. In this 12-week, randomized, single-blind, controlled study, a total of 40 schizophrenia patients were randomly assigned to either the SBQE group or the control group. The scores for the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) were recorded at baseline and week 12, respectively. Results At week 12, the mean RBANS total score was 84.5 points in the SBQE group and 72.8 points in the control group. The estimated mean difference was − 11.60 points (2-sided 95% CI, -22.41 to -0.79; P  = 0.04). This difference was statistically significant (time-by-group interaction effect estimates, F (1,38)  = 5.07; P  = 0.03). Conclusions Our preliminary findings indicated that SBQE led to an improvement in cognitive impairment in stable schizophrenia patients in rehabilitation wards. Further research with robust design and larger sample sizes is necessary to validate the effects of SBQE on cognitive function and psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia, thus providing more substantial evidence for the clinical application of SBQE. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05310955 on 22/02/2022; http://www.chictr.org.cn/ Identifier: ChiCTR2200057373 on 10/03/2022.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-month Guolin Qigong on quality of life and serum cortisol among patients with cancer. Methods This study was a two-arm and non-randomized controlled trial. Forty-nine patients with cancer who were over 18 years of age and diagnosed with cancer were enrolled in this study and assigned to either the Guolin Qigong intervention group (IG, n  = 26) or the usual care group (UC, n  = 23) for 6 months. During the Guolin Qigong exercise, the participants completed a training program consisting of five sessions per week and 40–60 min per session. The UC group maintained their usual lifestyle. The main outcomes included self-reported quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC-QLQ-C30) and well-being (General Well-Being Schedule, GWB). The second outcome was stress-related hormone serum cortisol measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All measurements were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Results Forty-nine participants (57.4% females, 26 in IG vs 23 in UC) were enrolled in the study, and forty-five participants completed all tests after the 6-month intervention (48.9% females, 25 in IG vs 20 in UC). Compared to the UC group, quality of life, physical function, and pain significantly improved in the IG ( P  < 0.05). Similarly, some sub-scales of GWB improved in the IG group compared to the UC group, especially for cheerful distracted and overall score ( P  < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum cortisol between the two groups either at baseline or after intervention ( P  > 0.05). Conclusions Six-month Guolin Qigong could improve quality of life, physical function, and pain, and have a beneficial effect on the well-being of cancer patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Background Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a substantial reduction in muscle mass and decreased muscle function, is a common degenerative condition in older adults. Regular Baduanjin exercise (BE) is deemed an effective intervention for improving muscle function in older adults. It is a traditional Chinese practice of qigong that combines gentle exercise, breathing techniques and meditation, in the elderly population. However, randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of BE in preventing and treating sarcopenia among older adults remain limited. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of a systematic BE regimen based on the short physical performance battery (SPPB) in managing sarcopenia. By establishing a clear link between BE and improvements in muscle function, this study reveals valuable insights into nonpharmacological strategies for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Methods This is a 24‐week randomized controlled trial involving 90 participants aged 60–77 years who were diagnosed with primary sarcopenia. The participants were randomly assigned by SAS software to either BE or a resistance training (RT) group. Both groups undertook their respective training under professional supervision from July 2022 to August 2023 in Chengdu, China. The intervention consisted of 60‐minute sessions, three times a week for 24 weeks. Participants were evaluated at baseline, Week 12 (midintervention) and Week 24 (postintervention) using the primary outcome measure, SPPB, along with secondary indicators, including limb muscle mass, two‐handed grip strength and other indicators, which were analysed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. Results Generalized estimating equations were used to assess 24‐week postintervention effects. Among the entire group, which consisted of 13 males and 77 females, significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted between the BE and RT in several measures: SPPB scores (B = 1.94 [95% CI, 1.20–2.68]), balance (B = 0.76 [95% CI, 0.31–1.22]), lower limb strength (B = 0.75 [95% CI, 0.25 to 1.24]), gait speed (B = 0.41 [95% CI, 0.01–0.81]), skeletal muscle index (SMI) (B = 0.37 [95% CI, 0.25–0.50]), left leg muscle mass (B = 0.38 [95% CI, 0.23–0.52]), right leg muscle mass (B = 0.34 [95% CI, 0.17–0.51]) and right hand grip strength (B = 1.56 [95% CI, 1.13–1.99]). No significant differences were found in the muscle mass of the left arm, right arm or left handgrip strength or in the results of the 6‐m walk test. Conclusions Regular BE markedly improved muscle function and increased muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia, indicating a safe and effective exercise for sarcopenia management. BE, which was tailored using the short physical performance battery assessment, offers a valuable approach to help prevent and treat sarcopenia in older adults. Future research should investigate the long‐term effects of varying BE intensities and frequencies in individuals with sarcopenia. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100051871).

IntroductionStroke causes neurological deficits and respiratory dysfunction, with prolonged bed rest exacerbating secondary pulmonary injury. This study evaluated the efficacy of pressure biofeedback training combined with Liuzijue Qigong (LQG) in improving functional outcomes and respiratory function in patients with tracheostomised stroke.Methods and analysisThis will be a parallel, single-centre randomised controlled trial involving 66 patients. Eligible patients will be randomly allocated to receive pressure biofeedback therapy combined with LQG training or simple pressure biofeedback training only. The primary outcomes will be the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool score and the findings of diaphragm ultrasound imaging. The secondary outcomes will include the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, pulmonary function test score, maximum phonation time, SpO2 and arterial blood gas results. Outcome analyses will be conducted on both intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations. A preliminary analysis will test whether pressure biofeedback therapy combined with LQG training leads to statistically better outcomes. This trial will provide evidence of the effectiveness of pressure biofeedback training combined with LQG training on respiratory function in patients with stroke after tracheal occlusion.Ethics and disseminationThis study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Centre (reference number: Yangzhi2024-137). All study participants will be required to provide written informed consent. The findings of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and presented at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2500097509.