The sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong on physiological health for COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial. Author: Chan AW, Lee A, Lee DT, Suen LK, Tam WW, Chair SY, Griffiths P. Affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: aileenchan@cuhk.edu.hk. Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Med. Date published: 2013 Dec Other: Volume ID: 21 , Issue ID: 6 , Pages: 585-94 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.09.008. , Word Count: 257 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 1s increased from .89 to .99l (+11%). No significant change was noted in the exercise group. Deterioration was found in the control group, with mean volume decreased from .89 to .84l (-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. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: COPD, Exercise tolerance, Lung functions, Six-minute walk test, Tai chi Qigong PMID: 24280465