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Chi Kung Research
Qigong - Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century Watch a 10 minute overview of the PBS documentary "Qigong - Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century" by Francesco Garri Garripoli. http://www.kahunavalley.org/dvd.htm.
For information on Qigong and Tai Chi and how to take responsiblity for your own health click here. These next few articles are from our friends at: http://www.wishus.org/newsletter/Qidao_0408.pdf
“Clinical Effect of Qigong Practice on Essential Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. ” Guo X, Zhou B, Nishimura T, Teramukai S, Fukushima M, J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jan 16 [Epub ahead of print] “MRI study of pain reaction in the brain under state of "Qigong.”
In this study, 4 male Qigong masters (aged 60 +/- 12) who had Qigong practicing experience for more than 30 years were tested. By using the technique of fMRI, the change of brain function under the state of Qigong was observed through the peripheral pain stimulation generated by potassium penetrating method. The fMRI examination was running on a GE signa VH/3.0 T MRI machine and block design was used. The test was repeated several times, which was carried out before and 15 min after Qigong practicing. The heart and respiration rate of these 4 Qigong masters were monitored during the whole test. SPM2 was used for the data analysis, and the result showed that before Qigong practicing, besides SI and SII-insula regions, many other Brodmann areas, the cigulate cortex, the thalamus, and the cerebellum were all activated, while 15 min after that, the activated areas were decreased obviously, which were mainly at the SII-insula region and some other Brodmann areas. Since the SII-insula region was activated in both of these two states, further analysis of the response curve was focused on it. Its response amplitude under the state of Qigong (3.5%) was greater than that before Qigong (1.2%). Our result indicated that the main manifestation of brain functional change under Qigong was functional suppressing, but in some particular regions such as SII-insula region in our study, the response amplitude was increased. Further study of the exact physiological mechanism of Qigong is needed. Yu ML, Li XQ, Tang WJ, Li Y, Weng XC, Chen YZ,. Am J Chin Med. 2007; 35(6):937-45 “Effects of a Taiji and Qigong intervention on
Previous studies have suggested that Taiji practice may improve immune function. This study was intended to examine whether 5 months of moderate Taiji and Qigong (TQ) practice could improve the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults. Fifty older adults (mean age 77.2 +/- 1.3 years) participated in this study (TQ N = 27; wait-list control [CON] N = 23). Baseline pre-vaccine blood samples were collected. All subjects then received the 2003-2004 influenza vaccine during the first week of the intervention. Post-vaccine blood samples were collected 3, 6 and 20 weeks post-intervention for analysis of anti-influenza hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. We found a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the magnitude and duration of the antibody response to influenza vaccine in TQ participants when compared to CON. The vaccination resulted in a 173, 130, and 109% increase in HI titer at 3, 6, and 20 weeks post-vaccine, respectively, in the TQ group compared to 58, 54, and 10% in CON. There was a significant between group difference at 3 and 20 weeks post-vaccine and at 20 weeks the TQ group had significantly higher titers compared to the pre-vaccine time point, whereas the CON group did not. A higher percentage of TQ subjects also responded to the influenza A strains with a protective (> 40HI) antibody response (37% TQ vs. 20% CON for the H1N1 strain and 56% TQ vs. 45% CON for the H3N2 strain), but the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Traditional TQ practice improves the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults, but further study is needed to determine whether the enhanced response is sufficient to provide definitive protection from influenza infection. the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults.” Yang Y, Verkuilen J, Rosengren KS, Mariani RA, Reed M, Grubisich SA, Woods JA Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(4):597-607. “External Qigong for Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Journal of Pain, 2007 Aug 7 by Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E.. (Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, United Kingdom; Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea.) The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical evidence of external qigong as a treatment option for pain conditions. Databases were searched up to January 2007. Randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) testing external qigong in patients with pain of any origin assessing clinical outcomes were considered. Trials using any type of control group were included. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by at least 2 reviewers. One hundred forty-one potentially relevant studies were identified and 5 RCTs could be included. All RCTs of external qigong demonstrated greater pain reductions in the qigong groups compared with control groups. Meta-analysis of 2 RCTs showed a significant effect of external qigong compared with general care for treating chronic pain (Pain 100 mm VAS; weighted main differences, 36.3 mm; 95% CI, 22.8 to 49.8; P < .001; heterogeneity: chi(2) = 1.79, P = .18, I(2) = 44.0%, n = 80). The evidence from RCTs testing the effectiveness of external qigong for treating pain is encouraging. Further studies are warranted. PERSPECTIVE: This review of clinical studies focused on the efficacy of qigong, an energy-healing intervention used to prevent and cure ailments. A meta-analysis shows that evidence for the effectiveness of external qigong is encouraging, though further studies are warranted. “The effect of Qigong on Fibromyalgia (FMS): A controlled randomized study.”
Disability Rehabilitation, 2007 Jun 15:1-9. By Haak T, Scott B. (Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Uppsala, Sweden.) Purpose. To evaluate the effect of a 7-week Qigong intervention on subjects with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Methods. The study was a controlled randomized study with repeated measures. Fifty-seven FMS female subjects were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 29) or a waiting-list control group (n = 28). After completion of the experimental part, the control group received the same intervention. Collection of data was made at pre- and post-treatment and at 4-month follow-up for both groups. Results. During the experimental part of the study, significant improvements were found for the intervention group, at post-treatment, regarding different aspects of pain and psychological health and distress. Almost identical results were found for the combined group. At 4-month follow-up, the majority of these results were either maintained or improved. Conclusion. The overall results show that Qigong has positive and reliable effects regarding FMS. A high degree of completion, 93%, and contentment with the intervention further support the potential of the treatment. The results of the study are encouraging and suggest that Qigong intervention could be a useful complement to medical treatment for subjects with FMS. |
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