Therapeutic Effects of Qigong in Patients with COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic effects of health qigong (HQG) with conventional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

A total of 132 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COPD but no serious comorbidities were randomly allocated to the HQG group (n = 51), PR group (n = 32), or medical treatment group (n = 35). The HQG group received 1 week of HQG training under the supervision of professional coaches, and were then encouraged to participate in a peer-led weekly practice group thrice a week, lasting 1 hour each time, for 6 months. The conventional PR group received the same amount of professional coaching on breathing and aerobic exercises, and peer-led walking or ball game groups. The medical treatment group only received health education on self-exercise. Baseline data were taken before randomization, and outcomes were ascertained at the 6-month follow-up by blinded assessors.

Results

Overall, 118 patients with complete data were recruited into the final analysis. Irrespective of disease stages, both HQG and PR groups showed improving trends across 6-minute walk test and quality of life scores, while the medical treatment group demonstrated either no improvements or some deteriorations. When comparing HQG with PR, HQG appeared to have better effects on decreasing the frequency of exacerbation for patients with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stage I and maintaining a stable tumor necrosis factor-alpha level for patients of GOLD stage II.

Conclusion

This study solidifies the concept that both HQG and PR produce positive effects on subjective symptoms and functions among COPD patients, and also provided evidence that HQG can induce additional effects compared to conventional PR.