Written by Edzard Ernst and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated May 9, 2012

Qigong

Abstract and key points

  • Qigong is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
  • Proponents claim that it improves health by regulating the flow of qi energy.
  • Several clinical trials have tested its effectiveness usually with encouraging results.
  • The quality of these studies is generally poor.
  • No serious safety concerns are known.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese therapy aimed at regulating the flow of “vital energy” in the body. It is mainly used as a symptomatic treatment for various types of complaints including those caused by cancer or cancer treatments.

In-vitro and preclinical studies have generated encouraging findings. Clinical trials have also yielded mostly promising results. However, their methodological quality is generally poor. A cause-effect relationship between the intervention and the outcome remains therefore undocumented.

There are no major safety concerns related to qigong.

Citation

Edzard Ernst, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Qigong [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Mind-body-interventions/Qigong. May 9, 2012.

Document history

Most recently updated in May 2012 by Edzard Ernst.
First published in April 2011, authored by Edzard Ernst.

References

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