A Randomized Controlled Trial for the Use of Qigong in the Treatment of Pre and Mild Essential Hypertension
Author: Shin, Kyung-Min; Park, Ji-Eun; Hong, Sanghoon; Park, Taeseob; Lee, Minhee; Liu, Yan; Kim, Jung-Eun; Kim, Tae-Hun; Kim, Ae-Ran; Jung, So-Young; Park, Hyoju; Choi1, Sun-Mi
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Conference/Journal: Journal of Hypertension
Date published: 2012 Sep
Other:
Volume ID: 30 , Issue ID: 568 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000420594.43580.55 , Word Count: 291
Background: Our objective is to evaluate the effects of qigong on blood pressure, health status and hormone levels for pre- or mild hypertension.
Methods: Forty subjects with pre- or mild hypertension were randomized to either the qigong exercise group or the non-treated group. Participants in the qigong group conducted qigong exercises 5 times per week for 8 weeks, and participants in the non-treated group maintained their current lifestyle, including diet and exercise. The primary endpoint was a change in patient blood pressure. Secondary endpoints were patient health status and changes in hormone levels.
Results: Of the 40 participants that were randomized, 35 completed the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased after qigong treatment compare to baseline, in only qigong group after 4 weeks (p = .0006 in sbp, p < .0001 in dbp). The significant change of bp in qigong group lasted to follow up 4 weeks (p = .0083 in sbp, p < .0001 in dbp). In non-treated group, there was significant difference in only sbp (p < .002 in 2 weeks, and p = .0009 in 4 weeks). The change of blood pressure between qigong and non-treated group was significant in 4 weeks (p = 0.006 in sbp, p = 0.0003 in dbp), not in 2 weeks. (p = 0.87 in sbp, p = 0.91 in dbp) in the change of norepinephrine, cortisol, renin, angiotensin, hdl, ldl, there was no significant difference between qigong and non-treated groups.
The score of mymop2 did not show significant decrease in qigong group than non-treated group (p = .17 in 4 weeks). Among subscale of mymop2, only wellbeing category was significant between 2 groups (p = 0.033 in 2 weeks, p = 0.032 in 4 weeks), not in symptom or activity categories.
Conclusion: Qigong appears safe and positive effect on blood pressure and health status in pre and mild hypertension patients. Further long-term studies with a larger number of subjects are warranted.
(C) 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
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