title: Effects of qigong training on health-related quality of life, functioning, and cancer-related symptoms in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer: a pilot study.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Qigong intervention on quality of life (QOL), health-related functioning, and cancer-related symptoms in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Twenty-five survivors of NPC were included in the experimental group (mean age ± SD: 55.4 ± 7.5 years) and 27 in the control group (mean age ± SD: 58.7 ± 9.5 years). The experimental group underwent a weekly 1.5-hour Qigong training program and an identical home program (three times/week) for six months. The control group received no training. Global health status/QOL, functioning, and cancer-related symptoms were assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires before training began, after three months of Qigong training, at the end of the six-month Qigong intervention (i.e., posttest), and six months posttest. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no statistically (P > 0.05) or clinically significant improvement in global health status/QOL, functioning, or symptoms in either group. The experimental group had 45.8% fewer sense-related (smell and taste) problems (P < 0.05) but 98.6% more speech-related problems (P < 0.05) than the control group after the Qigong intervention. Qigong training resulted in no apparent improvement in health-related QOL, functionality, or cancer-related symptoms in cancer-free survivors of NPC, except for a possible reduction in smell- and taste-related problems.
authors: Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: Shirley S M
authors: SS
authors: Fong
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
authors: Shamay S M
authors: SS
authors: Ng
authors: The Association of Licentiates of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors: W S
authors: WS
authors: Luk
authors: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors: Louisa M Y
authors: LM
authors: Chung
authors: School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors: Janet Y H
authors: JY
authors: Wong
authors: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors: Joanne W Y
authors: JW
authors: Chung