Effects of qigong training on health-related quality of life, functioning, and cancer-related symptoms in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer: a pilot study.

Author: Fong SS1, Ng SS2, Luk WS3, Chung LM4, Wong JY5, Chung JW4.
Affiliation:
1Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. 2Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong. 3The Association of Licentiates of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 4Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong. 5School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2014
Other: Volume ID: 2014 , Pages: 495274 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2014/495274 , Word Count: 203



This study aimed to investigate the effects of Qigong intervention on quality of life (QOL), health-related functioning, and cancer-related symptoms in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Twenty-five survivors of NPC were included in the experimental group (mean age ± SD: 55.4 ± 7.5 years) and 27 in the control group (mean age ± SD: 58.7 ± 9.5 years). The experimental group underwent a weekly 1.5-hour Qigong training program and an identical home program (three times/week) for six months. The control group received no training. Global health status/QOL, functioning, and cancer-related symptoms were assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires before training began, after three months of Qigong training, at the end of the six-month Qigong intervention (i.e., posttest), and six months posttest. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no statistically (P > 0.05) or clinically significant improvement in global health status/QOL, functioning, or symptoms in either group. The experimental group had 45.8% fewer sense-related (smell and taste) problems (P < 0.05) but 98.6% more speech-related problems (P < 0.05) than the control group after the Qigong intervention. Qigong training resulted in no apparent improvement in health-related QOL, functionality, or cancer-related symptoms in cancer-free survivors of NPC, except for a possible reduction in smell- and taste-related problems.
PMID: 24971148

BACK