QIGONG
The term Qigong represents a combination of two ideas. Qi refers to basic
energy, manifesting on
the physical and spiritual levels. All substances, including the human body, are composed of Qi in
various states of materiality. In addition, Qi flows through and around the body providing
nourishment (ying qi) and protection (wei qi).
The term Gong -- meaning skill, work or practice -- suggests the cultivation
of healthy Qi.
The Neijing Suwen (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) refers to Qigong
as one of the
foundational practices of a healthy lifestyle along with Dao-in (yoga-like exercises), diet and
avoidance of overstress and overindulgence. The same text, written sometime in the third or
second millennium B.C.E. and reflecting much older oral traditions, speaks of Qigong as having
been practiced by the ancients.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Qigong is one of the basic tools of treatment
along with
acupuncture, herbs, massage and moxibustion.
According to TCM, pain and disease are the result of blockage or imbalance of Qi.
Before an
illness arises there will be an imbalance of Qi. Blockages to energy flow can result from physical
injury or emotional stress. An unbalanced supply of Qi to cells will lead to irregular or unbalanced
flow of blood to the blocked area. Cells or organs will begin to malfunction and disease or pain will
occur.
Strengthening and balancing Qi flow can improve health and ward off disease. Qigong
is believed
to remove blockages in the flow of Qi, blood, oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body. It
also promotes the elimination of waste products from cells. Increases in the flow of Qi and blood
nourish diseased or stressed tissue. In this way, and through the balancing of meridian and organ
systems, the body is enabled to heal itself.
Medical Qigong consists of internal and external Qigong. Internal Qigong is the cultivation
of the
flow of Qi through individual practice of Qigong exercises. External Qigong refers to the activity of
a Qigong practitioner who has mastered the ability to emit Qi for the purpose of healing another
person. Self- training is generally promoted by Qigong healers to maximize the benefit of Qigong
therapy.
Qigong can complement Western medicine by preventing disease and treating chronic
conditions
such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, aging, asthma, allergies, neuromuscular problems
and cancer.
CFQ consists of Qigong practice, meditation, and Qigong energy healing. CFQ is unique
among
forms of Qigong in that it does not employ restricted breathing, visualization or the acquiring,
storing or generation of Qi. The focus in CFQ is above all on healing.
MEDICAL QIGONG
A growing number of scientific studies points to the effectiveness of Qigong practice
and Qigong
("external") healing for dealing with a wide variety of conditions. Below is a summary of
a few such
studies. While the articles listed here are not based on studies of CFQ, they indicate that, in
general, Qigong is highly effective in producing a wide range of positive benefits. When
comparable research studies are conducted on CFQ, I am confident that the results will be even
more conclusive.
Kenneth Sancier.
(1996). Anti-Aging Benefits of Qigong. Journal of International Society
of Life Information Science.
This is a review
article summarizing the results of several studies relating to anti-aging
benefits of Qigong. The studies are taken from a database of 840 abstracts of
presentations at international conferences of original research reported in Chinese. Qigong
has potential for restoring normal body functions in people with chronic conditions, many
of which accelerate the aging process. The main conclusion is that Qigong helps the body
to heal itself. In this sense Qigong is a natural anti-aging medicine.
Hypertension
(chronic high blood pressure). In a twenty-year study of 204 hypertensive
patients, blood pressures in a Qigong group stabilized while that of the control group
increased. During this period the drug dosage for the Qigong group decreased while the
dosage of the control group had to be increased.
Mortality and
stroke. A thirty-year study of 242 hypertensive patients and an 18-22-year
study of 536 patients showed that Qigong decreased by about 50% the incidence of total
mortality, mortality due to stroke and morbidity due to stroke.
Heart function
and microcirculation. After a year of Qigong practice the incidence of
disturbance to microcirculation in the heart in 120 hypertensive patients was reduced by
roughly half.
Sex hormone levels.
Qigong can reverse the trend of declining levels of sex hormones in
men and women. This reversal is accompanied by improvements in symptoms associated
in TCM with Kidney deficiency hypertension, such as soreness, dizziness, insomnia, hair
loss, impotence and incontinence.
Blood chemistry
in hypertension. Qigong improved plasma coagulation firbrinolysis
indices, blood viscosity, erythrocyte deformation index, levels of plasma tissue-type
plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor, VIII factor related antigen, anti-
thrombin, and two messenger cyclic nucleotides.
Senility.
In a study of 100 subjects with senile or presenile impaired cerebral function,
eight of fourteen of the clinical symptoms in the Qigong group improved above 80%
whereas none of the symptoms in the control group improved above 45%.
Anti-aging enzyme
(SOD). The SOD level was significantly larger in the Qigong group than
in the control group. This study shows that Qigong can stimulate physical metabolism,
promote the circulation of meridians and regulate the flowing of Qi and blood.
Cardiovascular
function. In comparison to controls who exercised aerobically, Qigong
proved to be more effective in lessening altitude stress as measured by blood pressure,
heart rate, oxygen consumption etc. When three groups were compared -- a Qigong
group, a control group that exercised calisthenically and a group of residents of the Tibetan
Highlands -- altitude sickness was less in the Qigong group than the control group.
Pulmonary ventilation was significantly improved in the Qigong group compared with the
control group and nearly equal to the resident group. Qigong exercise is superior to
physical exercise such as calisthenics.
Blood flow to
the brain. Qigong increases blood flow to the brain. For 158 subjects with
cerebral arteriosclerosis who practiced Qigong for one to six months, improvements were
noted in symptoms such as memory, dizziness, insomnia, tinnitis, numbness of limbs, and
vertigo headache. During these studies a decrease in plasma cholesterol was also noted.
Cancer. A
Qigong group of 97 and a control of 30 cancer patients each received drugs.
The Qigong group practiced Qigong for more than two hours a day over a period of three
to six months. Both groups improved but the Qigong group showed improvements four to
nine times greater than the control group in strength, appetite, being free of diarrhoea, and
gaining weight. The phagocytic rate, which is a measure of the immune function,
increased in the Qigong group but decreased in the control group.
Myeong Soo Lee,
Chang-Won Kang, Hyun-Ja Lim, Myung-Suk Lee. (2004, Aug.) Effects
of Qi-training on anxiety and plasma concentrations of cortisol, ACTH and aldosterone: a
randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Stress and Health. 20(5): 243-248.
The effects of Qi-training
on anxiety, and plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and aldosterone in healthy young men was investigated. Thirty-
two subjects were randomly assigned to a sham control group or a Qi-training group.
Although the basal level of anxiety did not differ between the groups, there was a significant
group by time interaction of the 1-hour intervention; anxiety decreased by 26 per cent in
the Qi- training group and by 9 per cent in the control group. After Qi-training, the plasma
concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone decreased, but these levels did not
change in the control group. These findings suggest that Qi-training improves anxiety and
has a significant effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Copyright © 2004 John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kevin W. Chen and
Tianjun Liu. (2004, June). Effects of Qigong Therapy on Arthritis: A
Review and Report of a Pilot Trial. Medical Paradigm. 1(1): 36-48.
There are two parts
to this article, a literature review and a pilot study of external Qi therapy
for arthritis. After three treatments, all six subjects of the study reported some degree of
symptom relief, reduction in pain and negative mood, a decreased anxiety score, reduced
active pain/tenderness in joints (with one exception) and reduced movement difficulty
scores. Two participants reported complete relief without any pain one month after
treatment.
It is well known
that Qigong practice is beneficial in preventing disease and strengthening
immunity, but it is less known, even in China, that this therapy can be an effective means
for relieving pain and treating arthritis. The literature review suggests there is strong
evidence for a therapeutic effect of Qigong on reducing pain and relieving the symptoms of
arthritis without side effects and with an enhanced sense of self- efficacy.
Myeung Soo Lee,
Hoon Ryu, Jeho Song, Sun-Rock Moon. (2004, November). International
Journal of Neuroscience. 114 (11): 1503-1510.
Using an ABA' design,
the authors investigated the effects of Qi-training on blood gas
concentrations with a 20 min control rest period (A), 1 h of Qi-training (B), and a 20-min
rest period (A'). The blood partial pressures of oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (PCO2),
and oxygen content, oxygen saturation, and pH were significantly altered. The mean PO2
value increased significantly during Qi-training by 14 mmHg (about 24%, p < .01)
compared with control A. During Qi-training, the mean decrease in PCO2 was 3 mmHg
(about 10%). These results suggest that the practical application of Qi-training may exert a
positive regulatory function on physiological status.
- Blood
Pressure and Taking Responsibility for Your Health
Myung-Suk Lee, Hyun-Ja
Lim, Myeong Soo Lee. Impact of Qigong Exercise on Self-
Efficacy and Other Cognitive Perceptual Variables in Patients with Essential Hypertension.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (2004, August), 10(4): 675- 680.
The purpose of this
study was to investigate the impact of practicing Qigong on middle- age
subjects with essential hypertension. Impacts on blood pressure, reported self- efficacy,
perceived benefit and emotion were observed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were
significantly reduced in members of the Qigong group after eight weeks exercise.
Significant improvements in self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual efficacy variables
were also documented in the Qigong group compared to the original situation. This pilot
study demonstrates the positive effects of practicing Qigong on controlling blood pressure
and enhancing perceptions of self-efficacy.
Kevin Chen and Raphael
Yeung. (2002). Exploratory Studies on Qigong Therapy for
Cancer in China. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 1(4): 345-370.
The authors reviewed
more than 50 studies of Qigong therapy for cancer in China, in three
categories: clinical studies on cancer patients, in vitro studies on laboratory-prepared
cancer cells, and in vivo studies on cancer- infected animals. Most of the clinical studies
involved observations of cancer patients' self-practice of Qigong. Although no double-blind
clinical trials were found among patient studies, many had a control. The Qigong groups
showed more improvement or had a better survival rate than conventional methods alone. In
vitro studies report the inhibitory effect of Qi emission on cancer growth and in vivo studies
find that Qigong-treated groups have significantly reduced tumour growth or longer survival
among cancer-infected animals. However, there is much room for improvement in these
studies and some require replication to verify the findings. Qigong therapy is an area that
is often neglected by mainstream medicine and research but our review strongly suggests
that Qigong deserves further study as a supplement to conventional cancer treatment.
Myeong Soo Lee,
Byung Gi Kim, Hwa Jeong Huh, Hoon Ryu, Ho-Sub Lee and Huntaeg
Chung. (2002, May). Effect of Qi-training on blood pressure, heart rate and respiration
rate. Clinical Physiology. 20(3): 173.
To examine the physiological
effects of Korean traditional Qi-training, we investigated the
changes in blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates before, during and after
ChunDoSunBup Qi-training. Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-
pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi- training. From these results we
suggest that CDSB Qi-training has physiological effects that indicate stabilization of the
cardiovascular system.
- Chronic
Illnesses Among the Elderly
Hector W. H. Tsang,
C. K. Mok, Y. T. Au Yeung, Samuel Y. C. Chan. (2003, May). The
effect of Qigong on general and psychosocial health of elderly with chronic physical
illnesses: a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 18(5):
441-449.
Objectives: Based
on the model by Tsang et al. ([2002]) which summarized the etiological
factors and consequences of depression in elderly with chronic physical illnesses, a
randomized clinical trial of a special form of Qigong (The Eight Section Brocades) was
conducted to assess if it improved the biopsychosocial health of participants. Design: 50
geriatric patients in sub-acute stage of chronic physical illnesses were recruited and
randomly assigned into the intervention and control group. The intervention group was
given a 12-week period of Qigong practice while the control group was given traditional
remedial rehabilitation activities. Results: The intervention group participants expressed
improvement in physical health, ADL, psychological health, social relationship, and health
in general as reflected by scores of the Perceived Benefit Questionnaire and informal
feedback. Conclusion: Although results are not significant in the generalization measures,
it may be due to small effect size, small sample size, and short intervention period.
Although not all of the hypotheses are supported, this report shows that Qigong (the Eight
Section Brocades) is promising as an alternative intervention for elderly with chronic
physical illness to improve their biopsychosocial health. More systematic evaluation with
larger sample size and longer period of intervention is now underway in Hong Kong.
Results will be reported once available. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Chronic
Pain and Mood Disturbances
Kyung Hee Yang,
Young Hee Kim, Myeong Soo Lee. (2005, July). Efficacy of Qi- Therapy
(External Qigong) for Elderly People with Chronic Pain. International Journal of
Neuroscience. 115(7): 949-963.
The intervention
group was given four weeks of Qi-therapy whereas the control group was
given standard care. Compared with the control group, Qi-Therapy participants
experienced improvements in positive mood and psychological variables over the four-
week program. Compared with baseline values, pain and psychological benefits remained
significantly improved after two weeks of follow up. These findings suggest that Qi- therapy
may help the elderly cope with pain and associated mood disturbances.
Takuya Tsujiuchi,
Hiroaki Kumano, Kaxuiro Yoshiuchi, DeGuang He, Yuko Tsujiuchi,
Tomisfusa Kuboki, Hiroyuki Suematsu and Koichi Hirao. (2002). The Effect of QiGong
Relaxation Exercise on the Control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Care. 25: 241-
242.
A study of twenty-six
diabetes patients receiving conventional care concludes that Qigong
may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Qigong can
improve glucose metabolism by the benefits of relaxation response. Significant
improvement in C-peptide levels was shown compared with the control. Patients' moods
were significantly enhanced.
Kevin Chen. (2004,
July/Aug.). An Analytic Review of Studies on Measuring Effects of
External Qi in China. Alternative Therapies. 10(4): 38-50.
This is a review
article of the major Chinese research into measuring external Qi. Studies
of five different categories of detectors of external Qi are reviewed: physical signal
detectors, chemical methods, biological materials, life sensors and the human body.
Physical signal
detectors. (a) Infrared radiation was detected 50 cm. from the hand of a
Qigong healer. (b) When a Qigong healer emitted Qi to a patient, an AGA thermogram
could display the entire procedure of Qi emission by reading the thermal flow moving from
his arm to his palm and finally to his finger tips. Then the surface temperature of the
patient's afflicted area, although one meter away from the healer, was raised by 3 degrees
C. (c) Using a microwave radiation meter in 50 trials of emissions from a Qigong healer,
formal records of radiation curves were recorded in 28 trials whereas the control group
reported no change. (d) There was significant difference between the typical curves of
magnetic signals during Qi emission by Qigong practitioners than during simulated Qi
emission by non-practitioners. (e) Significantly higher infrasonic (<16Hz) sound pressure
was recorded from the Qigong healer group than from the control group. (f) Other
exploratory studies have used Gamma ray, microwave, high frequency X- ray and other
detectors with positive results.
Chemical dynamic
methods. External Qi can affect the dynamic process of chemical
reactions, for example by accelerating the reaction process. Qigong healers can speed up
the reaction time by 400%.
Biological materials.
More comprehensive results are produced using biological detectors,
e.g. liver cancer cells, lung cancer cell cultures, cells of living organisms, blood plasma,
Vitamin C, DNA synthesis of liver cancer cells, FAB protein crystals, E-coli bacteria,
tumour cells in mice, hepatitis B virus in vitro, and the inhibition of growth of human liver
cancer cells. Tree leaves connected by probes to a signal amplifier registered the Qi
emitted by a healer's hands at 50 cm. at several times stronger than baseline. The
germination and growth of various plant seeds can be significantly accelerated. The growth
of E-coli bacteria can be inhibited or accelerated according to the intent of the Qigong
healer. Several studies show an inhibitory effect of external Qi on human cancer cells both
in vitro and in vivo.
Living sensors.
Many studies have been carried out on various species, largely to respond
to the criticism that Qigong healing relies on psychological suggestion. (a) External Qi has
a significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells in tumour-bearing mice. (b) Qi can prolong
the lives of laboratory flies. (c) Animal studies on hypertension and diabetes show positive
results. (d) In one study, 18 pigs with surgically induced paralysis were divided into three
equal groups. One group received Qigong healing within twelve hours, three treatments for
the first week and two treatments daily for 84 days. Another group started Qigong treatment
seven days after the injury and received two treatments a day for 84 days. A third group
was the control with no treatment. After 90 days the first group could walk around freely
and two of them could run and jump. In the second group all but one pig could stand and
one could run. In the control group none of the pigs could stand up and only two had some
avoidance response to stimulation.
Human bodies.
Frequently reported and well-documented successes in Qigong therapy
include: the complete remission of degenerative disc diseases, rheumatoid arthritis,
myoma of the uterus, cataracts, asthma, shoulder peripheral neuritis, significant
improvement in fractures, cardiovascular diseases, irregular pulse, hemi-paralysis "and
many more too numerous to list here." One of the common characteristics of these
diseases is that they are considered incurable by Western medicine.
Myeong Soo Lee,
Mo Kyung Kim, Yong-Heum Lee. (2005, September). Effects of Qi-
therapy (external Qigong) on cardiac autonomic tone: a randomized placebo controlled
study. International Journal of Neuroscience. 115(9): 1345-1350.
Qi-therapy reduced
the heart-rate and increased heart-rate variability as indicated by a
reduced low frequency/high frequency power ration of heart-rate variability. These findings
suggest that Qi-therapy stabilizes the sympathovagal function more than placebo therapy.
Ming Li, Kevin Chen
and Zhixian Mo. (2002, Jan/Feb). Use of Qigong Therapy in the
Detoxification of Heroin Addicts. Alternative Therapies. 8(1): 1-9.
Eighty-six male
heroin addicts, aged 18 to 52 years. The Qigong group practiced Pan Gu
Qigong and received Qi adjustments from a Qigong master daily. The medication group
received the detoxification drug, lofexidine-HCI, by a ten-day gradual reduction method.
The control group received only basic care and medications to treat severe withdrawal
symptoms. Reduction of withdrawal symptoms in the Qigong group occurred more rapidly
than in the other groups. From day one, the Qigong group had significantly lower mean
symptom scores than did the other groups. Both the Qigong and medication groups had
much lower anxiety scores than did the control group and the Qigong group had
significantly lower anxiety scores than did the medication group. All subjects had a positive
response to the urine morphine test before treatment. On day three 50% of the Qigong
group had negative urine tests compared to the 23% in the control group and 8% in the
medication group. By day five of treatment all subjects in the Qigong group had negative
urine tests compared to day nine for the medication group and day eleven for the control
group. Results suggest that Qigong may be an effective alternative for heroin detoxification
without side effects, though we cannot completely eliminate the possibility of the placebo
effect from the current study.
- Hypertension
(Chronic High Blood Pressure)
Myung-Suk Lee, Myeong
Soo Lee, Hye-Jung Kim, Euy-Soon Choi. (2004). Effects of
Qigong on blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipid levels in
essential hypertension patients. International Journal of Neuroscience. 114(7): 777-786.
Blood pressures
decreased significantly after eight weeks of Qigong. The levels of total
cholesterol, high- density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A1 were changed significantly in
the Qigong group post-treatment compared with before treatment. Qigong acts as an
antihypertensive and may reduce blood pressure by the modulation of lipid metabolism.
- Hypertension
(Chronic High Blood Pressure)
Cheung B.M., Lo
J.L., Fong D.Y., Chan M.Y., Wong S.H., Wong V.C., Lam K.S., Lau
C.P., Karlberg J.P. (2005, Sept.) Journal of Human Hypertension. 19 (9): 697-704.
We conducted a randomised
controlled trial to study the effect of Guolin qigong on blood
pressure. In all, 88 patients with mild essential hypertension were recruited from the
community and randomised to Goulin qigong or conventional exercise for 16 weeks. The
main outcome measurements were blood pressure, health status (SF-36 scores), Beck
Anxiety and Depression Inventory scores. In the qigong group, blood pressure decreased
significantly from 146.3+/-7.8/93.0+/-4.1 mmHg at baseline to 135.5+/-10.0/87.1+/-7.7
mmHg at week 16. In the exercise group, blood pressure also decreased significantly from
140.9+/-10.9/93.1+/-3.5 mmHg to 129.7+/- 11.1/86.0+/-7.0 mmHg. Heart rate, weight, BMI,
waist circumference, total cholesterol, renin and 24 h urinary albumin excretion
significantly decreased in both groups after 16 weeks. General health, bodily pain, social
functioning and depression also improved in both groups. No significant differences
between qigong and conventional exercise were found. In conclusion, Guolin qigong and
conventional exercise have similar effects on blood pressure in patients with mild
hypertension. While no additional benefits were identified, it is nevertheless an alternative
to conventional exercise in the nondrug treatment of hypertension.
Juan M. Manzaneque,
Francisca M. Vera, Enrique F. Maldonado, Gabriel Carranque,
Victor M. Cubero, Miguel Morell, Maria J. Blanca. (2004). Assessment of immunological
parameters following a Qigong training program. Medical Science Monitor, 10(6): CR264-
270.
Statistically significant
differences were found between the control and experimental
groups, with the experimental group showing lower numbers of total leukocytes and
eosinophils, number and percentage of monocytes, as well as complement C3
concentration. In addition, a similar result with a trend towards significance was observed
in the number of eosinophils. These findings demonstrate that after one month of practicing
Qigong, significant immunological changes occurred between the experimental and control
groups, with a consistently lower and broadly significant profile of these measures within
the Qigong practitioner group.
Brian M. Jones.
(2001). Changes in cytokine production in healthy subjects practicing
Guolin Qigong: a pilot study. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 1(8).
These preliminary
studies in healthy subjects, although not necessarily representative of a
randomized healthy population and not including a separate control group, have indicated
that blood levels of the stress- related hormone cortisol may be lowered by short-term
pratice of Qigong and that there are concomitant changes in numbers of cytokine-
secreting cells.
Wu W.H., Bandilla
E., Ciccone D.S., Yang J., Cheng S.C., Carner N., Wu Y., Shen R.
Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 1999 Jan;5(1):45-54.
CONTEXT: Despite
the growing popularity of qigong in the West, few well-controlled
studies using a sham master to assess the clinical efficacy of qigong have been
conducted. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of qigong on treatment-resistant patients with
late-stage complex regional pain syndrome type I. DESIGN: Block-random placebo-
controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Pain Management Center at New Jersey Medical School.
PATIENTS: 26 adult patients (aged 18 to 65 years) with complex regional pain syndrome
type I. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group received qi emission and qigong
instruction (including home exercise) by a qigong master. The control group received a
similar set of instructions by a sham master. The experimental protocol included 6 forty-
minute qigong sessions over 3 weeks, with reevaluation at 6 and 10 weeks. Assessment
included comprehensive medical history, physical exam, psychological evaluation,
necessary diagnostic testing. Symptom Check List 90, and the Carleton University
Responsiveness to Suggestion Scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thermography,
swelling, discoloration, muscle wasting, range of motion, pain intensity rating, medication
usage, behavior assessment (activity level and domestic disability), frequency of pain
awakening, mood assessment, and anxiety assessment. RESULTS: 22 subjects completed
the protocol. Among the genuine qigong group, 82% reported less pain by the end of the
first training session compared to 45% of control patients. By the last training session, 91%
of qigong patients reported analgesia compared to 36% of control patients. Anxiety was
reduced in both groups over time, but the reduction was significantly greater in the
experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Using a credible placebo to
control for nonspecific treatment effects, qigong training was found to result in transient
pain reduction and long-term anxiety reduction. The positive findings were not related to
preexperimental differences between groups in hypnotizability. Future studies of qigong
should control for possible confounding influences and perhaps use clinical disorders more
responsive to psychological intervention.
- Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS)
Hye-Sook Jang, Myeong
Soo Lee, Myung-Ja Kim, Elizabeth S. Chong. (2004, Aug.)
Effects of Qi-therapy on premenstrual syndrome. International Journal of Neuroscience.
114(8): 909-921.
Qi-therapy had a
significant effect on pain and water retention. In addition, there were
significant short-term effects on pain mental depression and anxiety. These results suggest
that Qi-therapy might be useful as a nursing intervention for women who suffer from PMS
to maintain or restore a balance of Qi.
- Relaxation
Through Meditation
Hong-Zhen He, Da-Lin
Li, Wen-Bin Xi, Chang-Lin Zhang. (1999). A "Stress Meter"
Assessment of the Degree of Relaxation in Qigong vs. Non-Qigong Meditation. Frontier
Perspectives, 3(1), 37- 42.
Many subjects were
able to reach deep levels of relaxation through meditation. But, the
subjects using Qigong training were able to reach deeper levels of relaxation than those
using non-Qigong techniques. However, when the inducement language of experienced
Qigong masters was used with the non-Qigong subjects they were able to reach deeper
levels of relaxation.
Claudia Witt, Matthias
Becker, Karin Bandelin, Renate Soeliner, Stefan N. Willich. (2005,
Feb.) Qigong for schoolchildren: a pilot study. Journal for Alternative and Complementary
Medicine. 11(1): 41-47.
Six months after
starting Qigong lessons, schoolchildren improved in social behaviour and
showed stable grades while inappropriate behaviour decreased, compared with the control.
- Spontaneous
Remission: Case Study
Kevin W. Chen. (2004,
Feb.) A case study of simultaneous recovery from multiple physical
symptoms with medical Qigong therapy. Journal for Alternative and Complementary
Medicine. 10(1): 159-162.
This report documents
the story of a 58-year-old Caucasian male patient with a series of
chronic conditions, including high prostate-specific antigen levels (but not a confirmed
cancer), atrial septal defect, asthma, allergies, multiple injuries following an automobile
accident, high blood pressure, and edema in the legs. The patient received external Qi
healing from a Qigong master and practiced Qigong four-plus hours per day during
intensive training and approximately one to two hours daily thereafter. After the workshop
and Qigong therapy the patient discontinued all medications (8 in total) and lost 35 pounds.
His blood pressure dropped from 220/110 with medication to 120/75 without medication in
two weeks. Pulse rate dropped from 88 beats per minute resting to 68 beats per minute in
the mornings and 55 bpm in the evening. Edema in his legs went away. Symptoms of
asthma or allergies disappeared. PSA level dropped from 11 to 4 (normal). All of this
occurred without medications. This kind of simultaneous recovery from multiple "incurable"
conditions and other documented successes cannot be explained by any known medical
theories and call for formal clinical trials to closely examine Qigong self-healing therapy.
- Stimulation
of Killer Cells
Myeong Soo Lee,
Chang-Won Kang, Hoon Ryu. (2005, February). Acute Effect of Qi-
Training on Natural Killer Cell Subsets and Cytotoxic Activity. International Journal of
Neuroscience. 115(2): 285-297.
Natural killer cell
cytotoxicity increased 60% immediately after one-hour Qi-training and
returned to the basal level within two hours after training. Natural killer cell subset number
did not change after Qi-training. Natural killer cell cytotoxicity and cell number were not
significantly correlated. These data suggest that Qi-training has an acute stimulatory effect
on natural killer cell activity but has no effect on phenotypical changes in the natural killer
cell subset.
M.S. Lee, H. Ryu,
H-T Chung. (2000). Stress management by psychosomatic training:
effects of ChunDoSunBup Qi-training on symptioms of stress. A cross-sectional study.
Stress and Health. 16(3): 161- 166.
Qi-trainees with
over 13 months training had significantly lower scores in all the Symptoms
of Stress inventory subscales compared to the controls. A significant negative correlation
was found between the Qi- training period and all SOS subscales. The total stress scores
of the Qi-trainee groups was substantially lower than those of the controls and there was
further reduction with longer training periods. These results sugest CDSB Qi-training is
effective in stress management and in decreasing symptoms of stress.
- Stress
Hormone, Growth Hormone, Melatonin
Myeong Soo Lee and
Hoon Ryu. (2004, October). Qi-Training Enhances Neutrophil
Function by Increasing Growth Hormone Levels in Elderly Men. International Journal of
Neuroscience. 114(10): 1313-1322.
In healthy elderly
men one hour of Qi-training significantly reduced the plasma
concentration of cortisol and increased plasma concentrations of growth hormone and
melatonin. Generation of superoxide by neutrophils increased significantly immediately
after Qi-training. The change in neutrophil syperoxide generation was significantly
correlated with the change in growth hormone concentration after Qi-training. These data
indicate that, in elderly men, Qi-training enhances superoxide generation by neutrophils,
possibly via the changes in plasma growth hormone concentration.
H.W.H. Tsang. (2003).
Qigong and suicide prevention. The British Journal of Psychiatry
182: 266-267.
This preliminary
report showed that Qigong is promising as an alternative intervention for
elderly people with depression and with chronic physical illness to improve their biopsycho-
social health and possibly reduce their suicide rate. The improvement from Qigong practice
included feeling more relaxed, more comfortable, better sleep and being more optimistic.
All of these reported improvements in psychosocial functioning are indicative of less
depressed mood and improved quality of life.
1. What is CFQ?
