Qigong and Tai Chi as Therapeutic Exercise: Survey of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Addressing Physical Health Conditions.

CONTEXT: Many researchers are interested in the Eastern therapeutic exercise of qigong and tai chi, performed as qigong. A review of systematic studies through April 2010 found evidence supporting tai chi as effective for preventing falls, improving psychological health, and promoting healthy aging. OBJECTIVE: The review intended to provide an updated survey of recent systematic reviews to establish the current-2016-level of scientific evidence assessing the therapeutic benefits of qigong exercise for clinical applications related to physical health. METHODS: The data sources included PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL, using the major terms qigong OR tai chi AND review. Studies were included in the review if they (1) were systematic reviews and meta-analyses; (2) had been published as full text in the English language; (3) were published between January 2010 and December 2016; (4) had tai chi or qigong as the primary intervention of interest; (5) addressed a defined, physical-health complaint; and (6) included ≥3 randomized clinical trials. Reviews addressing nonclinical topics, mental health, and cognition were excluded. RESULTS: The extensive search identified 41 relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Five areas of clinical application were supported. The review showed independent research evidence that was sufficient to support tai chi performed as qigong as a primary intervention for balance training and fall prevention. When compared with more traditional interventions, tai chi was found to have equal, and in some instances, superior effects, as well as cost-effectiveness. In addition, qigong, and tai chi performed as qigong, were found to have a complementary or alternative role in management of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson's disease, and cardiac and cardiovascular disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A growing body of evidence supports qigong and tai chi performed as qigong as valid complementary or alternative therapeutic exercises. Many aspects of the clinical study and application in this area remain to be explored.

Qigong and a Tale of Two Back Complaints.

Background: Chronic back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and decreased quality of life for people in both their personal and professional lives. In addition to modern medical intervention, many individuals seek relief through complementary and alternative therapies. Design: This study was designed as a retrospective descriptive review presented as two case studies. Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with two volunteer subjects of convenience who each had a medical diagnosis of chronic back pain. Intervention: Both individuals practiced a daily, standardized regimen of 24-Posture Qigong. Results: Both individuals experienced clinically significant symptomatic relief and functional benefit from their practice of qigong. Conclusion: Positive outcomes are theoretically attributed to relief of inflammation systemically and locally, reversal of sensitization and structural restorative reparation. These results provide justification for further prospective, controlled, long-term investigations.

Meditative Movement, Energetic, and Physical Analyses of Three Qigong Exercises: Unification of Eastern and Western Mechanistic Exercise Theory.

Abstract: Qigong is the meditative movement and therapeutic exercise of Eastern medicine. A growing body of evidence is validating its health benefits leading to mechanistic questions of how it works. The purpose of this article is to explore mechanisms of action related to Qigong, with the intent of unifying Eastern and Western exercise theory and to present a model for Qigong exercise analysis. Three exercises from a standardized Qigong form: 'Plucking the Stars', 'Lotus Leaves Rustle in the Wind', and 'Pacing Forwards and Backwards' were selected for meditative, energetic, and physical analyses. Meditative aspects include relaxation response, interoception and exteroception. Energetic aspects include stimulation of meridians through mental intent, acupressure, and self-massage. Physical aspects include flexibility, strength, articular stimulation, neuro-integration, respiratory effect, fascial stretch, visceral massage, balance challenge CranioSacral pump, lymphatic and venous return and glandular stimulation, and physiologic response to relaxation. Knowledge of mechanisms of action for specific Qigong exercises can guide operational definition of Qigong, selection of outcomes assessment in future research, inform prescriptive practice addressing clinical health issues, and advance adoption of Qigong practice within integrative health care. The model of analysis demonstrated in this discussion may assist in these endeavors.