Medical and clinical research defines Qigong as traditional Chinese exercise combining movement, breathing, and awareness. It belongs to a new category of exercise called Meditative Movement, a practice that includes biological, social, and psychological aspects of health. As a scientifically proven biopsychosocial practice with therapeutic benefits, Qigong addresses shortcomings of the standard western biomedical model of health care that have been identified by the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (NCCIH) whole person health initiatives. Both organizations are actively promoting the expansion of health care beyond treatment and intervention for disease to include illness prevention, active treatment for chronic diseases and comorbidities, palliative care, and engaging individuals in self-care for health management. Qigong self-care is a life-long skill that must be consistently practiced over time in order to maintain the benefit.

While most exercises focus on building muscles or endurance, Qigong focuses on mind-body integration through the regulation of the cardiovascular/circulatory, lymphatic, digestive, and nervous systems as well as the body's internal organs. Benefits of Qigong practice include optimizing the delivery of oxygen and nutrition to the tissues, increasing the efficiency of cellular metabolism, altering neurochemistry towards healing, managing pain and mood, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and facilitating relaxation and mental focus. Qigong can be done anywhere, anytime. It can be practiced while sitting, standing, moving, not moving, or lying down. 

Getting Started with Qigong

Introduction to Qigong

Qigong Science, Research and Education, News, and Library

"The goal of the Qigong Institute is to promote the scientific understanding of the basis of Qigong"

Qigong Institute Mission: The Qigong Institute is a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the scientific understanding of the basis of Qigong through research and education. Since 1988 it has been a library and current source for related news and scientific facts to aid researchers, writers, Qigong practitioners and teachers, members of the Western medical community, and the members of the general public who are interested in learning more about Qigong and Tai Chi. It's goals are promoting a scientific understanding of Qigong via education, research, and clinical studies; improving healthcare by integrating Qigong into Western medicine; and making information on Qigong available to medical practitioners, scientists, the public, and policy makers.

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Library: Qigong and Energy Medicine Database™

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American College of Sports Medicine Recommends Prescribing Qigong and Tai Chi

Multicomponent physical exercise such as Qigong and Tai Chi involve varying combinations of flexibility, neuromotor, and resistance exercise. Neuromotor exercise training is especially beneficial for older persons, especially to improve balance, agility, muscle strength, and reduce the risk of falls. The ACSM Position Stand on Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults recommends prescribing Qigong and Tai Chi. Guidance for Prescribing Exercise.

Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi

Conventional medical science on the Chinese art of Tai Chi now shows what Tai Chi masters have known for centuries: regular practice leads to more vigor and flexibility, better balance and mobility, and a sense of well-being. Cutting-edge research from Harvard Medical School also supports the long-standing claims that Tai Chi also has a beneficial impact on the health of the heart, bones, nerves and muscles, immune system, and the mind. This research provides fascinating insight into the underlying biophysical, psychological, and social mechanisms of Tai Chi. Besides presenting the science behind Tai Chi, this book is a great introduction to Tai Chi. Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publications calls Tai Chi "medication in motion." The health benefits of tai chi explains how Tai Chi when combined with standard treatment is helpful for a range of conditions including arthritis, low bone density, breast cancer, heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, sleep problems, and stroke. Harvard Medical School Endorses Qigong and Tai Chi.

The Science of Tai Chi and Qigong and Whole Person Health Part I: Rationale and State of the Science. The emerging paradigm of whole person health shares many core principles with traditional complementary and integrative health frameworks, including Tai Chi and qigong (TCQ). In the Fall of 2023, the Harvard Medical School Osher Center for Integrative Health hosted the inaugural international conference on The Science of Tai Chi for Whole Person Health: Advancing the Integration of Mind-Body Practices into Contemporary Health Care held at Harvard Medical School. Part I summarizes the rationale for the conference and synthesizes the state of evidence for TCQ as rehabilitative and preventive tools for a range of clinical conditions, including falls and balance, cognition, mental health, sleep, cardiorespiratory health, musculoskeletal health, cancer, as well as translational evidence related to the neurophysiology, brain and immune function, and biomarkers of inflammation. The state of science of TCQ, viewed through the lens of traditional East Asian health constructs, is also discussed. PMID: 40091656. 

The Science of Tai Chi and Qigong as Whole Person Health- Part II: Evidence Gaps and Opportunities for Future Research and Implementation.  The emerging paradigm of whole person health shares many core principles with traditional complementary and integrative health frameworks, including Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ). Part II summarizes evidence gaps and future research opportunities, including: understudied clinical conditions and populations, impact of long-term TCQ training, understanding the impact of specific TCQ styles, training regimens, dosage, and contextual effects; implementation, cost-effectiveness, and medical utilization research; individual data meta-analysis, and teaching competencies, credentialing, and licensure. PMID: 40229137. 

Qigong: What You Need To Know

Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago. It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.

Scientific Evidence for the Health Benefits of Qigong

The scientific evidence presented in a large body of peer-reviewed published research shows myriad health benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. Selections of these studies have been curated and endorsed by Harvard Medical School, the American College of Sports Medicine and the United States Veterans Health Administration for purposes of educating the public and/or their specific constituents. Clinical research trials indicate that Qigong and/or Tai Chi provide varying degrees of improvement for hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, breast cancer, heart failure, COPD, coronary heart disease, schizophrenia, depression, quality of life, strength, flexibility, cardiovascular function, balance, pulmonary function, stress, mood, physical function, mental health and cognitive function, risk of falls, self-efficacy, anxiety, self-esteem, quality of sleep, and safety, cancer care, immune function, inflammation, pain, arthritic and musculoskeletal conditions, depression, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

National Qigong Association Qigong Research Summaries

Emerging Research on Health Benefits of Qigong Exercise Bibliography

Know the Evidence Meta Study Review - 2022

Know the Evidence Update – 2019

Know the Evidence Review - 2017 

Know the Evidence Review - 2015

Research on Benefits of Qigong Increasing

Physical Benefits of Qigong as Exercise

Respected Medical Organizations Endorse Qigong (.PDF)

Bridging Integrative Medicine and Healthcare Financials

National Qigong Association Qigong and Tai Chi Research Updates

A wide variety of Qigong and Tai Chi treatment protocols have been used across research studies and clincial practice, often for research on identical medical conditions. In addition to different Qigong and Tai Chi treatment protocols being used in different randomized controlled trials for the same clinical conditions, different teachers and practitioners have used their own treatment protocols in the same trial. The wide success of different Qigong and Tai Chi treatment protocols for the same condition, or the same treatment protocol for different conditions, reveals a pattern across studies: the fundamentals of Qigong and Tai Chi practiced for health are identical. This is also one of the main conclusions of the National Expert Meeting on Qi Gong and Tai Chi and was introduced to Western medical research in Meditative Movement as a Category of Exercise: Implications for Research.

The following updates contain summaries of selected Qigong and Tai Chi research.

National Qigong Association Tools for Teachers and Educators

Advice to Qigong Teachers

Qigong Training via Video Can Be Effective

Tools for Teachers: What is Qigong?

Tools for Teachers - Respected Organizations Endorse Qigong - Handout

Research on Diaphragmatic Breathing

Evidence Based Practice: Part 1 Know the Basics

Evidence Based Practice: Part 2 The Proof

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Qigong Institute: QIGONG IN EDUCATION

Qigong is an Interoceptive Practice and Therapy

Qigong practice consists of quieting the mind through mindfulness, thus enabling an enhanced interoception, proprioception, vestibular system, awareness of present moment experience, and emotional regulation. Learning to have present moment awareness of and attention to the body without distractions such as thoughts is a mindfulness skill. Interoception is the underlying neurological mechanism of mindfulness-based approaches to meditation. Clinical research describes mindfulness as the attentional focus necessary and fundamental for gaining interoceptive skills (Mindfulness, Interoception, and the Body: A Contemporary Perspective). The refined ability to sustain awareness characterizes what in Qigong is called cultivating the skill of self-observation and regulating emotional responses to bodily sensation.

Interoception refers collectively to the processing of internal bodily stimuli by the nervous system and includes physical responses in body and brain representation such that the sensing of stimuli is available for reflection, insight, conscious awareness, and action. This characteristic training of awareness makes Qigong an “interoceptive awareness practice.” Interoception is such a new field of psychophysiological study that its first international conference was held in 2016. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is focusing on the multidisciplinary study of interoception science as a way to research "mind-body" practices, including Qigong.

Introduction to Interoception.

Qigong is Meditative Movement

The four fundamental components of Qigong are movement/posture combined with breath and meditation, and self-massage. Qigong (and it's most popular moving form, Tai Chi or Taiji, practiced for health) is an ancient practice included in a new category of exercise called "Meditative Movement" that is defined by (a) some form of movement or body positioning, (b) a focus on breathing, and (c) a cleared or calm state of mind with a goal of (d) deep states of relaxation. Meditative movement as a category of exercise: implications for research. 

Meditation in combination with breathing and slow, gentle movements (although there are many forms of Qigong that do not involve movement) affects humans physically and psychologically through relaxation techniques which reduce stress through modulation of the autonomic nervous system, gene expression, and the immune system. The practice has a proven effect upon quality of life, self-esteem, relationships, the ability to recognize and handle stress, pain relief, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and more.

Qigong is moving meditation. "Moving" means either physical movement or movement of energy internally, even if no musculo-skeletal movement is occurring. The integration of interoception (mindfulness and related cognitive and emotional processes) and proprioception is a key component of Qigong. Practice results in moments of peace within activity, built on a foundation of diaphragmatic breathing.

Meditation is increasingly being used in clinical situations for a range of conditions, and there is a growing scientific evidence base of its benefits. Qigong meditation which includes mindfulness training cultivates body awareness and promotes self-management of illness.

Medical Meditation Science and Research 

The Incorporation of Meditative Movement into Western Medical Practice

The Clinical Use of Meditation: Herbert Benson and Jon Kabat-Zinn are the two people have been most instrumental in the introduction and acceptance of meditation into basic western medical practice. Dr. Herbert Benson was the first to research and publicize the benefits of meditation in his ground-breaking book The Relaxation Response published in 1975. Benson's message was simple and straightforward. He argued that meditation counters physiological and psychological adjustments to change which cause stress and accompanying illness. Benson recommended a meditation practice consisting of four basic elements -- a quiet environment, a mental object to dwell on, emptying all thoughts and distractions from one's mind, and a comfortable position -- which he called the "relaxation response."

From Buddhist meditation practices, Jon Kabat-Zinn developed a secualr form of meditation he called "mindfulness-based" which has become integrated into mainstream Western medical practice and is the basis for Qigong interoception.

What is the Whole Person Health Index?

What is whole person health?

Whole person health medical research and clinical practice involves the interaction of multiple physiolgocial systems and the therapeutic effects of multicomponent interventions focusing on improving health outcomes. Qigong is a multicomponent intervention that combines exercise, breathing, and awareness. Qigong Mind-Body Exercise as a Biopsychosocial Therapy for Persistent Post-Surgical Pain is a 2020 Harvard Medical School study on Qigong that describes Qigong as a mind-body exercise and biopsychosocial therapy.  The methods of this study measured interoceptive awareness using the Multi-dimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) and validate the research methods for scientifically investigating Qigong as a biopsychosocial interoceptive awareness practice and therapy: An Introduction to Qigong Health Care.

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the Veterans Administration are heavily promoting Whole Person Health and Whole Health research, practice, and therapy.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

NCCIH: Whole Person Health: What It Is and Why It's Important? Whole person health involves looking at the whole person—not just separate organs or body systems—and considering multiple factors that promote either health or disease.... Instead of just treating a specific disease, whole person health focuses on restoring health, promoting resilience, and preventing diseases across a lifespan.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Administration

Veterans Administration Whole Health Information for Veterans: Introduction to Tai Chi and Qi Gong for Whole Health: Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and enables YOU to take charge of your health and well-being and live your life to the fullest. It starts with YOU. It is fueled by the power of knowing yourself and what will really work for you in your life.

Library of Research Articles on Veterans and CIH Therapies - Tai Chi/Qigong: Complementary and integrative health practices are growing in popularity, including use of movement-based therapies such as yoga, tai-chi, and qigong. Movement-based therapies are beneficial for a range of health conditions and are used more frequently by individuals with chronic illness.

Practice Qigong Now: VA|News Live Whole Health: #172: Posture, breath, and mind. #186: Slowing down with an introduction to Qigong. #209: The gentle power of Tai Chi

What Is My Whole Person Health Index?

Know the Evidence Update - 2022. National Qigong Association. 

A Bibliography of Recent Medical Research on Qigong. Numerous medical studies have been done on the effect of Qigong on various health conditions. This bibliography lists recent medical studies that have been published on Qigong, categorized by medical ailment. Health conditions include anxiety, arthritis, attention deficit, autism, back pain, blood pressure, cancer, breast cancer,  lung cancer, prostate cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive performance, COPD, Covid-19, depression, dyspnea, fibromyalgia, frailty, geriatrics, heart disease, hypertension, low back pain, obesity, osteporosis, pain, Parkinson's disease,  psychosis/psychlogical disorders, pulmonary disease, schizophrenia, sensory symptoms, sleep disorders, stress, and substance abuse. 

Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. This study reviews the evidence on the effectiveness of Qigong and Tai Chi, two forms of traditional Chinese exercise, on the treatment of the ten most prevalent illnesses – heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, obesity, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, substance abuse disorders, influenza and pneumonia, kidney disease, and mental health conditions. Qigong and Tai Chi have been shown to be effective in treating these ailments in many medical studies.

An Introduction to Qigong Health Care

Qigong Health Care can be a powerful component of Western models of healthcare systems which prioritize biopsychosocial whole person health and where prevention and wellness are primary aspects of care. The practice of Qigong combines physical exercise with the proven benefits of meditation and can be promoted to the public as an essential life skill. This publication describes the scientific research progress, issues, and challenges of integrating Qigong Health Care into Western medicine and healthcare.

 The Science and Practice of Qigong

Qigong Institute President Tom Rogers and Meditative Movement teacher and Qigong teacher for pain Josie Weaver discuss the Science and Practice of Qigong as part of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi Level 2 Qigong and Tai Chi Teacher Training. This presentation is based on An Introduction to Qigong Health Care.