Establishing a Health Qigong protocol for rehabilitation of patients with COPD

Methods: Eight experts in the area of pulmonary rehabilitation and traditional Chinese medicine were recruited to evaluate the Health Qigong protocol using a questionnaire specifically designed for the purpose. The safety of this protocol was then tested among eight participants with COPD in a field test. Safety indicators included physiological parameters, including pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, as well as perceived symptoms.Results: All experts recognized that there were potential benefits of the Health Qigong protocol, and made suggestions as to how the protocol could be revised for COPD patients. No serious adverse event was reported in the field test.Conclusions: The Health Qigong protocol is safe when applied to patients with COPD and has potential to be used an adjunct intervention in rehabilitation of COPD. The results support progression to the randomized controlled trial.Aims: This two-phased pilot study intended to validate the potential therapeutic values and applicability of a Health Qigong protocol as an alternative home exercise programme for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and test its safety before proceeding to a randomized controlled trial.