08.10.09
Posted in Qigong at 10:50 am by Dr. Pharm Tao
Many complementary therapeutic methods have been applied by patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers in Germany examined the immediate and sustained effects of Qigong on motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD (Schmitz-Hubsch et al., 2006). A total of 56 patients with different levels of PD disease severity were involved in the study.
The researchers compared the Qigong treatment group and a control group about the progression of motor symptoms assessed using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor part (UPDRS-III). The Qigong group had trainings of 90-minute weekly for 2 months, followed by a 2 months break, then a second 2-month training period. The study found that at 3 and 6 months, more patients improved in the Qigong group than in the control group. In addition, the incidence of several nonmotor symptoms reduced in the Qigong group only.
This study indicates that Qigong exercise may be helpful for relieving PD. More studies are still needed to confirm this effect and to find out the mechanisms.
Reference:
Schmitz-Hubsch, T., Pyfer, D., et al. (2006) Qigong exercise for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: a randomized, controlled pilot study. Mov Disord 21, 543-548.
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08.06.09
Posted in Qigong at 10:59 am by Dr. Pharm Tao
Researchers in Hong Kong conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the psychosocial effects of Qigong on elderly with depression (Tsang et al., 2006). A total of 82 participants with depression or obvious features of depression were involved in the study. The intervention group had Qigong practice for 16 weeks. The comparison group joined a newspaper reading group with the same duration and frequency.
The study found that after 8 weeks of Qigong practice, the intervention group participants had significant improvement in mood, self-efficacy and personal well being, and physical and social domains of self-concept, in comparison with the control group. After 16 weeks of practice, the improvement of the Qigong group included the daily task domain of the self-concept.
These findings indicate that regular Qigong practice can relieve depression and benefit self-efficacy and personal well being in elderly patients with chronic illness and depression. Further studies are needed to confirm the result and find out the mechanisms.
Reference:
Tsang, H. W., Fung, K. M., et al. (2006) Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 21, 890-897.
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08.05.09
Posted in Qigong at 10:35 am by Dr. Pharm Tao
Researchers in Sweden compared the effectiveness of Qigong with exercise therapy in patients with long-term nonspecific neck pain (Lansinger et al., 2007). A total of 122 patients were involved in the study and received either Qigong or exercise therapy. Seventy percent of the participants were women with the mean age of 44 years. The patients received a maximum of 12 treatments in 3 months.
In the patients, clinical and demographic characteristics were similar. Conditions in both qigong and exercise therapy groups significantly improved after the treatment. The effects were maintained at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups in 5 of 8 outcome variables. The variables analyzed included average neck pain in the most recent week, current neck pain, neck disability, neck pain diary, and cervical range of motion in rotation.
These findings suggest that Qigong or exercise therapy can help reduce pain and disability. These interventions are recommended for those with long-term nonspecific neck pain.
Reference:
Lansinger, B., Larsson, E., et al. (2007) Qigong and exercise therapy in patients with long-term neck pain: a prospective randomized trial. Spine 32, 2415-2422.
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