The sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong on physiological health for COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial

Aileen W.K. Chan, Albert Lee, Diana T.F. Lee, Kwai Ping Lorna Suen, Wilson W.S. Tam, S. Y. Chair, Peter Griffiths

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

63 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong in improving the physiological health for COPD patients at sixth month. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Subjects were in three randomly assigned groups: Tai chi Qigong group, exercise group, and control group. Setting: The 206 subjects were recruited from five general outpatient clinics. Interventions: Tai chi Qigong group completed a 3-month Tai chi Qigong program. Exercise group practiced breathing and walking as an exercise. Control group received usual care. Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes included six-minute walking distance and lung functions. Secondary outcomes were dyspnea and fatigue levels, number of exacerbations and hospital admissions. Results: Tai chi Qigong group showed a steady improvement in exercise capacity (P<.001) from baseline to the sixth month. The mean walking distance increased from 298 to 349 meters (+17%). No significant changes were noted in the other two groups. Tai chi Qigong group also showed improvement in lung functions (P<.001). Mean forced expiratory volume in 1. s increased from 89 to .99. l (+11%). No significant change was noted in the exercise group. Deterioration was found in the control group, with mean volume decreased from .89 to .84. l (-5.67%). Significant decreased in the number of exacerbations was observed in the Tai chi Qigong group. No changes in dyspnea and fatigue levels were noted among the three groups. Conclusions: Tai chi Qigong has sustaining effects in improving the physiological health and is a useful and appropriate exercise for COPD patients.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)585-594
Number of pages10
JournalComplementary Therapies in Medicine
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2013

Keywords

  • COPD
  • Exercise tolerance
  • Lung functions
  • Six-minute walk test
  • Tai chi Qigong

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and Manual Therapy
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Advanced and Specialised Nursing

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