A National Cancer Institute grant that supported a new study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center revealed that qigong, a holistic health ancient mind-body meditation practice actually reduces symptoms and improves the quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. Results of this latest research underscore growing benefits of mind-body practices in oncology. In Sacramento, qigong also is researched, taught and analyzed. See, the Medicine Begins With Me site.
For example, locally, in the Sacramento and Rocklin area, there are qigong retreats and conferences. Eva Lew, M.D. has been practicing qigong since the 1990s and is a co-founder of the Chi-lel Wellness Foundation. She studied Nei Yang Gong, Guo Lin qigong, Taiji Rejuvenation qigong, as well as Zhening (Chi-Lel) qigong.
In addition to conducting clinical research with Chi-Lel qigong in the past, she teaches Chi-Lel Qigong techniques to interested patients to improve function. She currently works as an Associate Physician in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center. She also presents medical qigong courses at medical conferences.
Hou Hee (Frank) Chan Laoshi has studied and practiced Qigong and Taiji for over 30 years. He is a co-founder of Chilel Wellness Foundation, an organization focus on health and wellness through self-empowerment. Since 1994, he taught Chi-Lel Qigong in medical conferences, retreats and workshops all over the United States and Canada.
What qigong is about in the field of holistic family health
Qigong, or "energy-work" is a combination of two ideas: 'Qi' meaning the energy force of the air, breath of life, universe, including the energy force of the body, and 'gong' meaning the skill of working with, or cultivating self-discipline and self-healing. The art of Qigong consists primarily of meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises.
Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center recently have found qigong, an ancient mind-body practice, reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. The new study, published in the journal Cancer, is the first to examine qigong in patients actively receiving radiation therapy and include a follow-up period to assess benefits over time. Even though individual mind-body practices such as meditation and guided imagery appear to reduce aspects of distress and improve quality of life, questions remain about their effectiveness when conducted in conjunction with radiation therapy.
"We were also particularly interested to see if qigong would benefit patients experiencing depressive symptoms at the start of treatment," said Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., professor in MD Anderson's Departments of General Oncology and Behavioral Science and director of the Integrative Medicine Program, according to the January 25, 2013 news release, MD Anderson study finds qigong improves quality of life for breast cancer patients. "It is important for cancer patients to manage stress because it can have a profoundly negative effect on biological systems and inflammatory profiles."
For the trial, Cohen, the corresponding author, and his colleagues enrolled 96 women with stage 1-3 breast cancer from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center in Shanghai, China. Forty-nine patients were randomized to a qigong group consisting of five 40-minute classes each week during their five-to-six week course of radiation therapy, while 47 women comprised a waitlist control group receiving the standard of care.
The program incorporated a modified version of Chinese medical qigong consisting of synchronizing one's breath with various exercises
As a practice, qigong dates back more than 4,000 years when it was used across Asia to support spiritual health and prevent disease. Participants in both groups completed assessments at the beginning, middle and end of radiation therapy and then one and three months later.
Different aspects of quality of life were measured including depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbances and overall quality of life. Results studied do show benefits.
Results show benefits emerged over time
Patients in the qigong group reported a steady decline in depressive symptom scores beginning at the end of radiation therapy with a mean score of 12.3, through the three month post-radiation follow-up with a score of 9.5. No changes were noted in the control group over time. The study also found qigong was especially helpful for women reporting high baseline depressive symptoms, Cohen explained in the news release, MD Anderson study finds qigong improves quality of life for breast cancer patients.
"We examined women's depressive symptoms at the start of the study to see if women with higher levels would benefit more," Cohen said, according to the news release. "In fact, women with low levels of depressive symptoms at the start of radiotherapy had good quality of life throughout treatment and three months later regardless of whether they were in the qigong or control group. However, women with high depressive symptoms in the control group reported the worst levels of depressive symptoms, fatigue, and overall quality of life that were significantly improved for the women in the qigong group."
Depressive symptoms in the control group reported the worst levels of depressive symptoms, fatigue, and overall quality of life that were significantly improved for the women in the qigong-practicing group. As the benefits of qigong were largely observed after treatment concluded, researchers suggest qigong may prevent a delayed symptom burden, or expedite the recovery process especially for women with elevated depressive symptoms at the start of radiotherapy. Cohen notes the delayed effect could be explained by the cumulative nature of these modalities, as the benefits often take time to be realized.
Future research needed
The authors note several limitations to the study, including the absence of an active control group making it difficult to rule out whether or not the effects of qigong were influenced by a patient's expectations or simply being a light exercise. Additionally, the homogeneity of the group, Chinese women at a single site, limits the ability of applying the results to other populations.
According to the authors, the findings support other previously reported trials examining qigong benefits, but are too preliminary to offer clinical recommendations. Additional work is needed to understand the possible biological mechanisms involved and further explore the use of qigong in ethnically diverse populations with different forms of disease.
The National Cancer Institute grants R21CA108084, U19CA121503 and CA016672 supported the work. Authors have no conflicts of interest to report. In addition to Cohen, MD Anderson authors on the paper include: Zhongxing Liao, M.D., Department of Radiation Oncology; Qi Wei, Integrative Medicine Program and Kathrin Milbury, Ph.D., Department of Behavioral Science.
Other authors include Zhen Chen, M.D., Jiayi Chen, M.D., Zhiqiang Meng, M.D., Ph.D., Wenying Bei, M.D., Ying Zhang, Xiaoma Guo, Luming Liu, M.D., Ph.D., all of Fudan University Cancer Hospital; Jennifer McQuade, M.D., Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Clemens Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Dresden University of Technology; and Bob Thornton, Merck & Co., Inc (on MD Anderson staff when research was conducted).
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For nine of the past 11 years, including 2012, MD Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News and World Report.
Resources: Other studies on qigong and health and other Chinese holistic health-related research
Beyond pills: Cardiologists examine alternatives to halt high blood pressure.
Asian breast cancer survivors suffer cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy.
Researchers discover ways of integrating treatment of traumatized Tibetan refugee monks.
Therapeutic value of meditation unproven, says study.
Hispanics and Asians less likely to receive liver transplants.
Yi-Qi-Zeng-Min-Tang ameliorates insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetic rats. This study is about the effect of the Chinese herbal decoction, Yi-Qi-Zeng-Min-Tang (YQZMT) on type 2 diabetic rats, not about qigong, the meditation exercise.
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