Catherine Kerr, a former researcher at Brown University, discovered the therapeutic benefits of qigong during her own battle with cancer. Intrigued by its potential, she delved into investigating how qigong could alleviate fatigue in others facing the same struggle.
Now, Kerr’s colleagues are building upon her work by conducting a study on the effects of qigong practice on fatigue perception in a select group of 24 female cancer patients who have recently completed treatment.
Remarkably, the study found that qigong was just as effective in reducing fatigue as a demanding exercise and nutrition program. Furthermore, it proved to be more accessible for individuals who are already exhausted from weeks or months of treatment.
Stephanie Jones, an associate professor of neuroscience and leader of the study at Brown University’s Cancer Institute for Brain Science, hailed the results as exceptional.
“Cathy, who personally experienced the debilitating effects of fatigue as a cancer survivor, knew how challenging physical exercise could be,” explained Jones. “Qigong, on the other hand, is a gentle, slow movement practice that incorporates meditation, and it has demonstrated clinically relevant improvements.”
Fatigue is a prevalent issue among cancer survivors, with 45% of them experiencing moderate to severe levels, according to the study. The authors emphasized that fatigue can be an even greater burden than pain, nausea, and depression.
Exercise has shown promise in addressing fatigue, but this study, the first of its kind, directly compared qigong to standard exercise through a randomized clinical trial, albeit with a small sample size.
Qigong involves deliberate, slow exercises combined with deep breathing and sometimes meditation. When practiced for health purposes, tai chi is considered a form of qigong, as stated by the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health.
All participants in the study had completed surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy at least eight weeks prior to joining the trial. They agreed to take part in 10 weeks of classes.
The exercise group engaged in an hour of power walking and Pilates, followed by an hour of health education. Meanwhile, the qigong group spent the equivalent time on the gentle qigong practice along with education.
Chloe Zimmerman, an MD/PhD candidate in neuroscience at Brown and one of the study’s authors, noted that qigong piqued Kerr’s interest because of its origins in Chinese traditions, which focus on vital energy, energy cultivation, and their potential impact on a person’s sense of vitality and recovery.
“One of the primary objectives of this study was to explore how we can help people thrive after cancer treatment, and whether a gentler mind-body practice could achieve that,” Zimmerman explained.
The researchers pointed out that mind-body practices, including yoga, mindfulness, and tai chi, are gaining recognition for their potential benefits to physical, emotional, and brain health.
While both groups experienced improvements in fatigue, the qigong group also demonstrated greater enhancements in mood and stress levels. Exit interviews suggested that some individuals in each group might have fared even better if they had been in the opposite group.
Zimmerman remarked, “All these practices have their own merits, and it is crucial to refine our assessment of who might benefit most from each practice. This is a crucial next step for future studies.”
Jones stated that the team is currently examining changes in electrophysiological measures of brain and muscle activity to test the hypothesis that the effectiveness of qigong and standard exercise lies in their distinct impact on brain-muscle communication.
The study was recently published in Integrative Cancer Therapies, and the researchers emphasized the need for larger and more diverse studies in the future.
Several hospitals now offer qigong programs, and online access to such programs may also be available, according to the authors.
Dr. Jun Mao, chief of Integrative Medicine Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, mentioned that qigong is part of their integrative medicine home program. He explained that although the mechanism behind qigong is not fully understood, it often involves gentle physical activities, meditation, and breathing exercises. These activities collectively promote stronger mind-body connections.
Mao also highlighted that qigong may be perceived as a more manageable form of physical activity compared to traditional exercise. Some qigong movements can even be performed while in bed, which reduces barriers for cancer patients with functional limitations.
“There is evidence suggesting that other mind-body exercises, such as yoga or tai chi, can also help with cancer-related fatigue,” added Mao. “Certain meditation practices, along with deep breathing, can increase vagal tone, which induces a state of relaxation. Although relaxation might not appear to alleviate fatigue, when our bodies are tensed up, we tend to feel even more tired.”
Catherine Kerr, who served as the director of translational neuroscience at the Contemplative Studies Initiative at Brown University, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1995 and passed away in 2016.
For more information, the American Cancer Society provides resources on integrative and complementary medicine.
SOURCES: Chloe Zimmerman, MD/PhD candidate, neuroscience, Brown University;
Stephanie Jones, PhD, associate professor, neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, R.I.;
Jun Mao, MD, chief, Integrative Medicine Services, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City;