title: A critical review of the effects of medical Qigong on quality of life, immune function, and survival in cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to the limitations and side effects of conventional cancer treatment, especially in relation to quality of life (QOL), patients are increasingly utilizing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to supplement health-related outcomes. However, evidence for the safety and efficacy of such treatments is lacking. The purpose of the current review was to investigate evidence for the role of one CAM, medical Qigong (MQ), in supportive care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature was searched for reported effects of MQ in improving QOL, immune function, and survival in cancer patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although many studies possessed methodological limitations and small sample sizes, encouraging evidence was found for the effects of MQ on these health-related outcomes. More robust evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes also reflected positive results for the role of MQ in improving QOL, mood and fatigue parameters, and reducing inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given such encouraging results, further research is recommended in methodologically sound approaches to further delineate the action of MQ. These findings support the utilization of MQ by cancer patients and the place for such programs in comprehensive cancer care.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. byeong.oh@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Byeongsang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Butow
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Xinfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate