Impact of medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Substantial numbers of cancer patients use complementary medicine therapies, even without a supportive evidence base. This study aimed to evaluate in a randomized controlled trial, the use of Medical Qigong (MQ) compared with usual care to improve the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-two patients with a range of cancers were recruited. QOL and fatigue were measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue, respectively, and mood status by Profile of Mood State. The inflammatory marker serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was monitored serially.


RESULTS
Regression analysis indicated that the MQ group significantly improved overall QOL (t(144) = -5.761, P < 0.001), fatigue (t(153) = -5.621, P < 0.001), mood disturbance (t(122) =2.346, P = 0.021) and inflammation (CRP) (t(99) = 2.042, P < 0.044) compared with usual care after controlling for baseline variables.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that MQ can improve cancer patients' overall QOL and mood status and reduce specific side-effects of treatment. It may also produce physical benefits in the long term through reduced inflammation.
Oh
B
B
Department of Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord; Center for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney; Sydney Cancer Center, Concord Repatriation General Hospital. Electronic address: bsoh@med.usyd.edu.au.
Butow
P
P
Center for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney.
Mullan
B
B
Center for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney.
Clarke
S
S
Department of Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord; Sydney Cancer Center, Concord Repatriation General Hospital.
Beale
P
P
Department of Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord; Sydney Cancer Center, Concord Repatriation General Hospital.
Pavlakis
N
N
Department of Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord; Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital.
Kothe
E
E
School of Psychology, University of Sydney.
Lam
L
L
School of Medical Sydney, Notre Dame University, NSW, Australia.
Rosenthal
D
D
Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002097:C-Reactive Protein