title: Effects of Qigong on immune cells.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of two acute Qigong interventions (Qi-training and Qi-therapy) on immune cells. The Qigong interventions were compared with placebo training and placebo therapy in which no attempt was made to gather or move Qi. Immune cell numbers were measured pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and 1 or 2 hours post-intervention. White blood cells increased significantly 2 hours after actual Qi-training (p < 0.05) but not sham training compared with pre-intervention There were significant increases in lymphocytes 2 hours after actual but not sham Qi-training (p < 0.05) and monocyte numbers were significantly increased immediately after both actual Qi-training (p < 0.01) and sham training (p < 0.05). NK cell numbers decreased significantly both immediately after Qi-training and after sham movements done without concomitant Qi-training (p < 0.01). There were no significant effects on neutrophils. Actual Qi-therapy but not sham therapy increased monocyte numbers immediately after Qi-therapy, and lymphocytes increased more after real than after sham therapy. Neutrophils were again little changed The data indicate that a single Qigong intervention can increase the monocyte and lymphocyte numbers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Qi-Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwa Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Seong Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Hye-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jae-Hwang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hun-Taeg
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Won-Hong
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology