Effects of Qigong Exercise on Upper Limb Lymphedema and Blood Flow in Survivors of Breast Cancer A Pilot Study

Impact Factor:2.354 | Ranking:4/22 in Integrative & Complementary Medicine | 108/196 in OncologySource:2012 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2013) Expand+Integrative Cancer Therapiesict.sagepub.com Published online before print June 7, 2013, doi: 10.1177/1534735413490797 Integr Cancer Ther January 2014 vol. 13 no. 1 54-61 Effects of Qigong Exercise on Upper Limb Lymphedema and Blood Flow in Survivors of Breast Cancer A Pilot Study Shirley S. M. Fong, PT, PhD1 Shamay S. M. Ng, PT, PhD2 W. S. Luk, MD3 Joanne W. Y. Chung, RN, PhD4 Jacqueline S.C. Ho, RN, PhD5 Michael Ying, PhD6 Ada W. W. Ma, PhD4 1Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 2Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 3The Association of Licentiates of Medical Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong 5School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 6Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Shirley S. M. Fong, Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Email: smfong@hku.hk; smfong_2004@yahoo.com.hk Abstract Hypothesis. Qigong exercise is a popular method for relieving the side effects of conventional cancer treatments in survivors of breast cancer, yet its effects are not empirically assessed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of qigong exercise on upper limb lymphedema, arterial resistance, and blood flow velocity in survivors with breast cancer and mastectomy. Study Design. This study was conducted as a prospective clinical trial. Methods. Eleven survivors of breast cancer with qigong experience (mean age = 58.3 ± 10.1 years) were assigned to the experimental group and 12 survivors of breast cancer without qigong experience (mean age = 53.8 ± 4.2 years) were assigned to the control group. They all had breast cancer–related lymphedema. All procedures were completed within one session. After baseline measurements were taken, the experimental group performed 18 Forms Tai Chi Internal Qigong for approximately 6 minutes while the control group rested for similar duration in a sitting position. Both groups were then reassessed. All participants were measured on their affected upper limb circumference (by using tape measures), peripheral arterial resistance, and blood flow velocities (using a Doppler ultrasound machine). Results. The between-group differences were not significant for all outcome measures at baseline (P > .05). The circumferences of the affected upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist decreased after qigong exercise (P < .05). However, no significant difference was found in the circumference measures between the 2 groups posttest (P > .0125). In terms of vascular outcomes, the resistance index decreased and the maximum systolic arterial blood flow velocity (SV) and minimum diastolic arterial blood flow velocity (DV) increased significantly after qigong exercise (P < .05). The between-group difference was close to significant for SV (P = .018) and was significant for DV (P < .001) posttest. Conclusion. Qigong exercise could reduce conventional cancer therapy side effects such as upper limb lymphedema and poor circulatory status in survivors of breast cancer. However, such effects may be temporary, and further studies must be conducted to explore longer term effects. complementary therapy tai chi qigong breast carcinoma postmastectomy

馬來西亞大學研究報告Guolin QiGong: The Roles of Body Mind Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors

馬來西亞大學研究報告 Guolin QiGong The roles of mind-body exercise in the health care of breast cancer survivors in Malaysia Low intensity exercise but with potential benefits was more preferable as an alternative to more vigorous exercise when striving for health benefits for breast cancer patients and survivors. The present study seeks to understand the roles of mind-body exercise particularly Guolin Qigong in the health care of breast cancer survivors in Malaysia, the motivation factors that drove these survivors to practise a low intensity exercise such as Guolin Qigong and the outcomes gained from this exercise. A purposive sampling technique and in-depth interview was employed to 13 informants from five regions in Malaysia. The findings of the study indicated that the Qigong exercise has developed self-empowerment and helped these women to be responsible for their own life particularly physical, psychosocial and spiritual. It also serves as an avenue for support and communication among the breast cancer survivors. The motivations from them to practise Qigong were supported by the need of these women to survive and their belief in this Guolin Qigong in healing their cancer and its adaptable form of exercise which led to their enjoyment into integrating this exercise into their daily routine. The outcome gained from this exercise were feeling good, lessened anxiety, found peacefulness, strengthen immune system and found internal strength and direction in fighting their cancer. Lastly, this study provided better understanding for all cancer patients and survivors the roles of Guolin Qigong exercise in enhancing quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. These findings can be used to health practitioners and health providers to promote Guolin Qigong exercise and motivate all cancer patients and survivors to practise Guolin Qigong. Published in: Science and Social Research (CSSR), 2010 International Conference on Date of Conference: 5-7 Dec. 2010 Page(s): 629 - 634 Print ISBN: 978-1-4244-8987-9 Conference Location : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Digital Object Identifier : 10.1109/CSSR.2010.5773857 ============== The Roles of Body Mind Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors Category: Research & development/Year 2007 ... The Mind-Body Exercise for this study particularly focused on Guolin Qigong. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What are the roles of Qigong as a Mind-Body Exercise in the ... Wednesday, 07 December 2011 Navi: Research & Development Year 2007 The Roles of Body Mind Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors The Roles of Body Mind Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors Wednesday, 07 December 2011 06:25 Administrators E-mail Print PDF Researcher/s : Nadiah Diyana Tan Abdullah, Khor Poy Hua Funding : RMI (UiTM) Research Abstract : THE ROLES OF MIND-BODY EXERCISE IN THE HEALTH CARE OF BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS IN MALAYSIA PREPARED BY NADIAH DIYANA TAN BINTI ABDULLAH KHOR POY HUA The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of Mind-Body Exercise in the health care of breast cancer survivors in Malaysia. The Mind-Body Exercise for this study particularly focused on Guolin Qigong. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What are the roles of Qigong as a Mind-Body Exercise in the health care of breast cancer survivors; (2) What motivate the breast cancer survivors to practise Qigong and lastly (3) What outcomes did the breast cancer survivors gain from practising Qigong? Thirteen informants were interviewed in this study from five regions in Malaysia namely Klang Valley (Central region); Johor Bahru (South region), Kota Bahru (East region), Butterworth (Upper north region) and Ipoh (North region). The informants comprised of Guolin Qigong's members from the Malaysian Guolin Qigong Association with an average age of fifty seven years old, majority married and have an average of two children. The informants were selected using the purposive sampling and the snowballing sampling technique. They were chosen based on the following criteria: (1) adult female breast cancer survivors known to have practised Guolin Qigong for more than six months and priority would be to those with longer term adherence to Guolin Qigong; (2) capable and willing to share her experience in long term adherence to Guolin Qigong and (3) English, Malay or Chinese speaking informant. The primary data collection technique used in this qualitative study was the interviews. A question guide was developed and refined for use in the interviews. The interviews were taped and conducted in a mixture of languages, English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese as most of the Qigong practitioners are Chinese speaking. The taped interviews were transcribed verbatim for both English Language and Bahasa Malaysia and for the interviews conducted in Chinese it was translated by a Chinese Language expert. The findings suggested that the Qigong played several major roles in the health care of the breast cancer survivors in particular developing self-empowerment among the breast cancer survivors. The informants revealed that they were responsible of their own life and health care by maintaining and improving their health in particular physical, psycho-social and spiritual through Qigong exercise. They revealed that Qigong classes also served as an avenue for support and communication among the breast cancer survivors. The motivations for them to practice Qigong were supported by the need of these women to survive and their belief in this Guolin Qigong in healing their cancer. With its adaptable form of exercise, Guolin Qigong is able to create sense of enjoyment among breast cancer survivors and these women integrated this Qigong into their daily life practice. Having supports from spouse, family and friends, added the spirit of these women to exercise daily. The conclusions drawn from this study were the accessibility of healing through self empowerment by practicing Qigong has changed the breast cancer survivors to an improved holistic well-being even having to live with cancer. It has lessened the anxiety, feeling of peacefulness, connected and feeling full of energy with the practice of Qigong. Secondly, by practicing Qigong, the breast cancer survivors found their internal strength and direction, physical, psychological and spiritual well being in fighting their cancer.