title: A randomized controlled trial of qigong for fibromyalgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibromyalgia is difficult to treat and requires the use of multiple approaches. This study is a randomized controlled trial of qigong compared with a wait-list control group in fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred participants were randomly assigned to immediate or delayed practice groups, with the delayed group receiving training at the end of the control period. Qigong training (level 1 Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong, CFQ), given over three half-days, was followed by weekly review/practice sessions for eight weeks; participants were also asked to practice at home for 45 to 60 minutes per day for this interval. Outcomes were pain, impact, sleep, physical function and mental function, and these were recorded at baseline, eight weeks, four months and six months. Immediate and delayed practice groups were analyzed individually compared to the control group, and as a combination group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both the immediate and delayed treatment groups, CFQ demonstrated significant improvements in pain, impact, sleep, physical function and mental function when compared to the wait-list/usual care control group at eight weeks, with benefits extending beyond this time. Analysis of combined data indicated significant changes for all measures at all times for six months, with only one exception. Post-hoc analysis based on self-reported practice times indicated greater benefit with the per protocol group compared to minimal practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that CFQ, a particular form of qigong, provides long-term benefits in several core domains in fibromyalgia. CFQ may be a useful adjuvant self-care treatment for fibromyalgia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov NCT00938834.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sawynok
authors.forename: Chok
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hiew
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marcon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D064906:Qigong / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome