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

Qigong

What is it ?

Description

Qigong is an ancient Chinese treatment. Two different types exist. Internal qigong refers to a physical and mental training method for achieving optimal health in both mind and body which has similarities with tai chi. External qigong refers to a treatment where qigong practitioners direct or emit “energy” to the patient with the intention to clear qi-blockages or to balance the flow of qi within that patient.

Ingredients

Qigong practitioners claim to use energy to heal patients. This “energy” is, however, not energy as defined by science and has so far not been measured reproducibly with scientific methods.

Application and dosage

Internal qigong is usually practised on a daily basis. Each session is 20 minutes to 1 hour long and supervised by a person experienced in qigong. External qigong is normally practised 1-2 times per week. Each session normally lasts 30-60 minutes, sometimes several hours.

History/providers

Qigong is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and shares its long history. Qigong teachers are often people with no medical background or training who have learnt the technique on a vocational basis.

Claims of efficacy

According to TCM-philosophy, “qigong facilitates the movement of qi, the vital life energy, throughout the body, thereby enhancing health and healing disease” 1. Normalizing the flow of qi energy, would, according to qigong proponents, be expected to be helpful for any type of illness, including cancer. Most qigong teachers would claim that this therapy is effective in symptom control rather than in changing the natural history of cancer. Some proponents, however, claim that Guolin Qigong can cure cancer.

Alleged indications

Qigong is often recommended for a wide range of conditions including musculoskeletal pain 2, tinnitus 3, stress 4, burnout 5, hypertension 6 and anxiety 7. The treatment is traditionally used by older patients 8. In the area of cancer, the main indications are to alleviate the symptoms associated with cancer and cancer therapy, as well as improve quality of life and well-being.

Prevalence of use

In some Asian countries, e.g. China and Korea, qigong has a long tradition and is highly popular. In western countries, qigong has become widely used only recently. Precise prevalence figures are not available.

Legal issues

In some countries, e.g. the UK, it is illegal for qigong practitioners to claim to be able to cure cancer. In most countries, ‘qigong practitioner/teacher’ is not a protected title which means anybody, regardless of background, experience or training can adopt it.

Cost and expenditure

Internal qigong is often practised in groups and is thus normally inexpensive. External qigong is time-consuming and a practitioner may charge £ 50-100 (Euros 55-110) per session. Regular treatment is commonly advised.

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

  1. Kemp CA. Qigong as a therapeutic intervention with older adults. J Holist Nurs 2004; 22(4):351-373.
  2. Skoglund L, Josephson M, Wahlstedt K, Lampa E, Norback D. Qigong training and effects on stress, neck-shoulder pain and life quality in a computerised office environment. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2011; 17(1):54-57.
  3. Biesinger E, Kipman U, Schatz S, Langguth B. Qigong for the treatment of tinnitus: a prospective randomized controlled study. J Psychosom Res 2010; 69(3):299-304.
  4. Terjestam Y, Jouper J, Johansson C. Effects of scheduled qigong exercise on pupils' well-being, self-image, distress and stress. J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16(9):939-944.
  5. Stenlund T, Birgander LS, Lindahl B, Nilsson L, Ahlgren C. Effects of qigong in patients with burnout: a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med 2009; 41(9):761-767.
  6. Guo X, Zhou B, Nishimura T, Teramukai S, Fukushima M. Clinical effect of qigong practice on essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med 2008; 14(1):27-37.
  7. Chow YW, Tsang HW. Biopsychosocial effects of qigong as a mindful exercise for people with anxiety disorders: a speculative review. J Altern Comp Med 2007; 13(8):831-839.
  8. Jahnke RA, Larkey LK, Rogers C. Dissemination and benefits of a replicable Tai Chi and Qigong program for older adults. Geriatr Nurs 2010; 31(4):272-280.
  9. Lee MS, Chen KW, Sancier KM, Ernst E. Qigong for cancer treatment: A systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Acta Oncol 2007; 46:717-722.
  10. Chan CL, Wang CW, Ho RT, Ng SM, Chan JS, Ziea ET et al. A systematic review of the effectiveness of qigong exercise in supportive cancer care. Support Care Cancer 2012. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-011-1378-3
  11. Oh B, Butow P, Mullan B, Hale A, Lee MS, Guo X et al. A Critical Review of the Effects of Medical Qigong on Quality of Life, Immune Function, and Survival in Cancer Patients. Integr Cancer Ther 2011. DOI: 10.1177/1534735411413268
  12. Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. External Qigong for pain conditions: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. J Pain 2007; 8(11):827-831.
  13. Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Internal qigong for pain conditions: a systematic review. J Pain 2009; 10(11):1121-1127.
  14. Chen K, Yeung R. Exploratory studies of qigong therapy for cancer in China. Integr Cancer Ther 2002; 1(4):345-370.
  15. Oh B, Butow PN, Mullan BA, Clarke SJ, Beale PJ, Pavlakis N et al. Effect of medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-011-1209-6
  16. Cohen L, Chen Z, Arun B, Shao Z, Dryden M, Xu L et al. External qigong therapy for women with breast cancer prior to surgery. Integr Cancer Ther 2010; 9(4):348-353.
  17. Lee MS, Jang H-S. Two case reports of the acute effects of Qi therapy (external Qigong) on symptoms of cancer: short report. Comp Ther Clin Pract 2005; 11:211-213.
  18. Lee MS, Yang SH, Lee KK, Moon SR. Effects of Qi therapy (external Qigong) on symptoms of advanced cancer: a single case study. Eur J Cancer Care 2005; 14:457-462.
  19. Yan X, Chen H, Jiang H, Zhang C, Hu D, Want J et al. External Qi of Yan Xin Qigong differentially regulates the Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways and is cytotoxic to cancer cells but not to normal cells. Int J Biochem & Cell Biol 2006; 38:2102-2113.
  20. Yan X, Shen H, Jiang H, Hu D, Zhang C, Wang J et al. External Qi of Yan Xin Qigong induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion of estrogen-independent breast cancer cells through suppression of Akt/NF-êB signalling. Cell Physiol Biochem 2010; 25:263-270.
  21. Yan X, Li F, Dozmorov I, Frank MB, Dao M, Centola M et al. External Qi of Yan Xin Qigong induces cell death and gene expression alterations promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, migration and glucose metabolism in small-cell lung cancer cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2012; 363(1-2): 245-55
  22. Lei X-T, Bi A-H, Zhang Z-X, Cheng Z-Y. The antitumor effects of qigong-emitted external qi and its influence on the immunologic functions of tumor-bearing mice. J Tongji Med Univ 1991; 11(4):253-256.
  23. M-L, Lee T-I, Chen H-H, Chao T-Y. The influences of Chan-Chuang Qi-gong therapy on complete blood cell counts in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Cancer Nurs 2006; 29(2):149-155.
Legal notice
The present documentation has been compiled by the CAM-CANCER Project with all due care and expert knowledge. However, the CAM-CANCER Project provides no assurance, guarantee or promise with regard to the correctness, accuracy, up-to-date status or completeness of the information it contains. This information is designed for health professionals. Readers are strongly advised to discuss the information with their physician. Accordingly, the CAM-CANCER Project shall not be liable for damage or loss caused because anyone relies on the information.