Qigong for type 2 diabetes care: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize and critically evaluate the evidence available from clinical trials (CTs) of qigong for patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
We have searched the literature using 15 databases from their respective inceptions through March 2009 without language restrictions. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria.


RESULTS
Nine CTs, which included three randomized clinical trials (RCTs), one controlled clinical trial (CCT) and five uncontrolled observational studies (UOSs), met our inclusion criteria. Three RCTs compared qigong plus usual care (including drug therapy) with usual care alone. The quality of these RCTs was poor. Their results suggested favorable effects of qigong on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2h plasma glucose (2hPG), insulin sensitivity, and blood viscosity. One CCT compared qigong with no treatment and failed to show favorable effects of qigong on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2hPG, HbA1c and insulin sensitivity. All UOSs reported beneficial effects of qigong on FPG or 2hPG.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently there are few rigorous trials testing the effectiveness of qigong for type 2 diabetes. The studies that are available are of low methodological quality. Collectively this evidence is insufficient to suggest that qigong is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes. Rigorously designed trials are warranted to answer the many questions that remain open.
Lee
Myeong Soo
MS
Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, South Korea. mslee@kiom.re.kr
Chen
Kevin W
KW
Choi
Tae-Young
TY
Ernst
Edzard
E
D001786:Blood Glucose; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin