A randomized controlled trial of qigong exercise on fatigue symptoms, functioning, and telomerase activity in persons with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Chronic fatigue is common in the general population. Complementary therapies are often used by patients with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome to manage their symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the effect of a 4-month qigong intervention program among patients with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome.


METHODS
Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a wait list control group. Outcome measures included fatigue symptoms, physical functioning, mental functioning, and telomerase activity.


RESULTS
Fatigue symptoms and mental functioning were significantly improved in the qigong group compared to controls. Telomerase activity increased in the qigong group from 0.102 to 0.178 arbitrary units (p < 0.05). The change was statistically significant when compared to the control group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Qigong exercise may be used as an alternative and complementary therapy or rehabilitative program for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, China. tinho@hku.hk
Rainbow T H
RT
Ho
Jessie S M
JS
Chan
Chong-Wen
CW
Wang
Benson W M
BW
Lau
Kwok Fai
KF
So
Li Ping
LP
Yuen
Jonathan S T
JS
Sham
Cecilia L W
CL
Chan
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists
D019098:Telomerase