title: Qigong in Injured Military Service Members.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wounded, ill, and injured (WII) Military Service members experience significant stress and are at risk for developing chronic conditions including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Qigong, a meditative movement practice, may positively affect their ability to engage in successful rehabilitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the feasibility of Qigong practice in WII Service members returning from combat; effects on stress, sleep, and somatic symptoms; satisfaction; and participants' experience with the practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-group, pre- and posttest, mixed methods approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six WII were enrolled. The program was designed to include 20 classes over 10 weeks. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, practice logs, and an exit interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average attendance was 8.14 classes ( SD = 4.9); mean engagement was 5.7 ( SD = 3.5) weeks. Participants endorsed a high level of satisfaction with the practice. Qualitative themes included coping with stress; feeling more resilient and empowered; improvement in symptoms including sleep and physical function; and factors affecting practice. Participant-reported facilitators included accessibility and portability of the practice; barriers included scheduling conflicts and personal challenges. Participants recommended offering shorter programs with flexible scheduling options, increasing program awareness, and including significant others in future classes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qigong was safe, portable, and easily adapted for WII Service members.
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation.|Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reb
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi.
authors.forename: Nancy Seaby
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Saum
authors.affiliation: Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions.
authors.forename: Deborah Ann
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Command Europe.
authors.forename: Sara Todd
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Breckenridge-Sproat
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at El Paso.
authors.forename: Xiaogang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Sciences/Beyster Institute of Nursing Research.|VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH).
authors.forename: Jill Ellen
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bormann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064906:Qigong / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Qigong; complementary and integrative therapies; posttraumatic stress disorder; rehabilitation; sleep; stress