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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2015

01-04-2015 | Original Article

Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

Authors: Linda K. Larkey, PhD, Denise J. Roe, DrPH, Karen L. Weihs, MD, Roger Jahnke, OMD, Ana Maria Lopez, MD, MPH, FACP, Carol E. Rogers, PhD, RN, Byeongsang Oh, OMD, PhD, Jose Guillen-Rodriguez

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

Background

Many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue, mood, and sleep disturbances.

Purpose

This study aims to compare a meditative movement practice, Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE) with sham Qigong (SQG), testing effects of meditation/breath aspects of QG/TCE on breast cancer survivors’ persistent fatigue and other symptoms.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial tested 12 weeks of QG/TCE versus SQG on fatigue, depression, and sleep among 87 postmenopausal, fatigued breast cancer survivors, stages 0–III, age 40–75.

Results

Fatigue decreased significantly in the QG/TCE group compared to control at post-intervention (p = 0.005) and 3 months follow-up (p = 0.024), but not depression and sleep quality. Improvement occurred over time for both interventions in depression and sleep quality (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

QG/TCE showed significant improvement over time compared to SQG for fatigue, but not depression or sleep. Both QG/TCE and SQG showed improvement for two prevalent symptoms among breast cancer survivors, depression and sleep dysfunction.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors
Linda K. Larkey, PhD
Denise J. Roe, DrPH
Karen L. Weihs, MD
Roger Jahnke, OMD
Ana Maria Lopez, MD, MPH, FACP
Carol E. Rogers, PhD, RN
Byeongsang Oh, OMD, PhD
Jose Guillen-Rodriguez
Publication date
01-04-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9645-4

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment of Reviewers, January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014