Functional Capacity After Traditional Chinese Medicine (Qi Gong) Training in Patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Evidence indicates that low energy expenditure protocols derived from traditional Chinese medicine may benefit patients with cardiac impairment; therefore, the authors carried out a randomized controlled trial to test a 16-week medically assisted qi gong training program for the physical rehabilitation of patients with stable chronic atrial fibrillation and preserved left ventricular function. Functional capacity variation was evaluated using the 6-minute walk test, which was performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and after 16 weeks. Thirty men and 13 women (mean age, 68+/-8 years) were randomized to the intervention protocol or to a wait-list control group. Qi gong training was well tolerated and, compared with baseline, trained patients walked an average 114 meters more (27%) at the end of treatment (P<.001) and 57 meters more (13.7%) 16 weeks later (P=.008). Control subjects showed no variation in functional capacity. These results seem promising and deserve confirmation with further research.

A Review of Clinical Trials of Tai Chi and Qigong in Older Adults

“…Both of the QG studies measured 6-minute walk as an outcome. One reported more of an improvement for the aerobic training than the QG group (Burini et al, 2006) and the other a significant improvement among the QG group that practiced 90 minutes, 2 times a week for 16 weeks (6-minute walk increased 114 meters, p =.001) compared to a wait-list control that decreased the distance (Pippa et al, 2007). There were no changes in ejection fraction, BMI, or cholesterol for QG or control for the latter study.…”

Lifestyle risk reduction interventions in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review

“…32 In the trial reporting 6MWT, distance was improved by 114 m post-intervention (p < 0.001), with participants maintaining 57 m improvement 16 weeks after completion of treatment (p ¼ 0.008). 31 In the trial reporting incremental exercise test results, speed increased by 10% (p ¼ 0.05), however the supine exercise treadmill did not identify any significant changes in maximal exercise capacity. 33 Health related quality of life.…”

“…33 Cardiac risk factors. BMI was reported in three trials [31][32][33] with no significant changes post-intervention. BP was not altered due to intervention in one trial.…”

“…On the Jadad scale one RCT scored 2/5 30 and the other scored 3/5. 31 One of the RCTs did not include the withdrawals in their baseline data. 30 Each trial was conducted in a different country ( Table 1).…”

“…34 No statistically significant changes were noted in total cholesterol (TC) or high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the one trial reporting these outcomes. 31 Smoking status was not reported in any trials.…”