We aimed to unravel the clinical benefits and the plausible underlying psychophysiological mechanism based on available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Meta-analysis of 26 RCTs shortlisted from electronic databases from 1997 to 2006 shows that qigong had some effects on increasing the numbers of white blood cells and lymphocytes, stroke volume, peak early transmitral filling velocity, peak late transmitral filling velocity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume, and, conversely, lowering of total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and depressive mood scores. Explanatory pathways may pertain to stress reduction via nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Limitations on methodology are discussed and directions for further studies are suggested. Because of its safety, minimal cost, and clinical benefit, health qigong can be advocated as an adjunctive exercise therapy for older people with chronic conditions.

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Psychophysiological outcomes of health qigong for chronic conditions: A systematic review

Health benefits of traditional Chinese sports and physical activity for older adults: A systematic review of evidence.

To investigate the effect of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) plus tuina on scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP). A total of 30 cases with SP were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Those in the observation group practiced Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) plus tuina therapy; whereas those in the control group received only tuina therapy. Tuina therapy was conducted every other day, 20 min every time for 1 month and Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) was conducted once a day for 1 month. The therapeutic effects were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Constant-Murley scale. After treatment, the VAS score and Constant-Murley scale were substantially improved, showing statistical significances (P<0.01); the Constant-Murley scale in the observation group was better than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.01); the effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P<0.01). Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) plus tuina and tuina alone have a verified effect in treating SP, and the former can achieve a better effect than the later.

Effect of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) plus tuina on scapulohumeral periarthritis

To observe the clinical efficacy of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for primary osteoporosis in the elderly. Eighty old patients with primary osteoporosis were randomized into a Yi Jin Jing group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. The Yi Jin Jing group was intervened by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) training, while the medication group was intervened by oral administration of alendronate sodium tablet. Prior to and after 6-month intervention, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur, visual analog scale (VAS) and activities of daily living (ADL) were estimated. There were no significant differences in the BMD of the proximal femur, and VAS and ADL scores between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05). After 6-month intervention, the above items all improved significantly in both groups (both P 0.05). Practice of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) can effectively ameliorate the BMD in the elderly with primary osteoporosis, and it can reduce the pain and improve ADL, with a better general effect compared to oral administration of alendronate sodium tablet.

Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for primary osteoporosis in the elderly: a clinical trial

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) occur very commonly in older men. BPH and LUTS cause substantial physical and psychological impairment that could seriously affect the quality of late life and greatly cost the health-care systems. Current surgical and pharmacological therapies are expensive, may not effectively improve prostate function and health but cause adverse effects. There is an urgent need to find new and effective non-pharmacological preventions and treatments. Yi Jin Jing and Tai Chi are two common traditional Chinese mind–body exercises with different movements and techniques, but both emphasize regulating functional homeostasis and keeping whole body harmony. Yi Jin Jing and Tai Chi have not been studied much for potentially use in the treatment of BPH-related problems. The primary purpose of this protocol is to assess the effectiveness of Yi Jin Jing versus Tai Chi on the monographic and functional changes of prostate in older men. A prospective single-center randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 150 old men (60–70 years old) will be recruited from the urban tertiary of Shanghai, China. Of these, 50 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to a control group and two intervention groups with either Yi Jin Jing or Tai Chi exercise training. They will undergo 30 minutes for each exercise for five times a week for 6 months. The primary outcomes are changes of signs and symptoms in BPH and lower urinary tract from baseline to post-intervention. The main secondary outcomes are exercise-induced effects on the circulating levels of estrogen and androgen. All the outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the 6-month intervention, and at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. This proposed study will be the first comparative randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Yi Jin Jing versus Tai Chi exercise on prostate health among older adults. The results will provide an evidence-based recommendation for Chinese older men on the use of Yi Jin Jing and Tai Chi training to promote prostatic function and health. Potential mechanisms for the regulatory effect of the two exercises elucidated by multiple outcomes are also explored. A clarification of the effects and mechanisms may provide information for the development of new strategies in the prevention and treatment of BPH-related conditions. Chinese registry (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR)) Identifier: ChiCTR-IOR-16007698
 . This trial was registered on 4 January 2016.

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Comparative effects of Yi Jin Jing versus Tai Chi exercise training on benign prostatic hyperplasia-related outcomes in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

目的 探讨"健身气功·易筋经"对老年智能老化程度的影响.方法 采用智能生理年龄测试软件,通过微机人机对话方式分别于练功6个月前、后对练功组和对照组测试.结果 练功前智能生理年龄测试的7个单项以及智能生理年龄和老化度2组间差异无显著性.练功组于练功6个月前、后各项测试结果分别为:心算速度(5.13±2.17)s和(4.21±1.55)s、数字符号(23.29±6.08)s和(19.88±4.73)s、动作反应(1.58±0.30)s和(1.44±0.23)s、两位数字记忆广度(2.73±0.94)位和(3.21±0.86)位、智能生理年龄(61.53±6.29)岁和(59.22±6.00)岁、老化度(-0.15±0.83)和(-0.69±0.76),差异有显著性;而对照组6个月前、后相比差异无显著性.结论 通过"健身气功·易筋经"的锻炼能够明显提高老人的思维敏捷性、动作灵活性、短时记忆力和注意品质,确实能够起到延缓中老年人智能衰退的作用。

伍庆华

Papers

A research on Health Qigong-Yi Jin Jing for slowing down intelligence decline of the aged