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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 6/2012

01-06-2012 | Original Article

Effect of medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Byeongsang Oh, Phyllis N. Butow, Barbara A. Mullan, Stephen J. Clarke, Philip J. Beale, Nick Pavlakis, Myeong Soo Lee, David S. Rosenthal, Linda Larkey, Janette Vardy

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Cancer patients often experience diminished cognitive function (CF) and quality of life (QOL) due to the side effects of treatment and the disease symptoms. This study evaluates the effects of medical Qigong (MQ; combination of gentle exercise and meditation) on CF, QOL, and inflammation in cancer patients.

Methods

Eighty-one cancer patients recruited between October 2007 and May 2008 were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (n = 44) who received the usual health care and an intervention group (n = 37) who participated in a 10-week MQ program. Self-reported CF was measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC-CF) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Cognitive (FACT-Cog). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G) was used to measure QOL. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed as a biomarker of inflammation.

Results

The MQ group self-reported significantly improved CF (mean difference (MD) = 7.78, t 51 = −2.532, p = 0.014) in the EORTC-CF and all the FACT-Cog subscales [perceived cognitive impairment (MD = 4.70, t 43 = −2.254, p = 0.029), impact of perceived cognitive impairment on QOL (MD = 1.64, t 45 = −2.377, p = 0.024), and perceived cognitive abilities (MD = 3.61, t 45 = −2.229, p = 0.031)] compared to controls. The MQ group also reported significantly improved QOL (MD = 12.66, t 45 = −5.715, p < 0.001) and had reduced CRP levels (MD = −0.72, t 45 = 2.092, p = 0.042) compared to controls.

Conclusions

Results suggest that MQ benefits cancer patients’ self-reported CF, QOL, and inflammation. A larger randomized controlled trial including an objective assessment of CF is planned.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Byeongsang Oh
Phyllis N. Butow
Barbara A. Mullan
Stephen J. Clarke
Philip J. Beale
Nick Pavlakis
Myeong Soo Lee
David S. Rosenthal
Linda Larkey
Janette Vardy
Publication date
01-06-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1209-6

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