Qi Gong and Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Qì Gōng is a type of exercise that involves meditation and is used for health. With a background from the martial arts, it is known also as an auto healing exercise with three main elements according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): body focus (posture and movement), breathing and mind focus (meditative elements). Heart rate variability is a tool that allows us to measure the autonomic system velocity to detect and respond to unexpected stimuli. So our goal was to build a systematic review of Qi Gong and Heart rate variability. PUBMED, EBSCO and Science Direct data bases were searched. Key terms (MeSH) were Heart Rate Variability and Ch'i Kung OR Qi Gong with a 10-year filter. Four independent reviewers analyzed all articles and excluded duplicated articles, articles in Chinese and articles with no adherence to the subject. The end result was 5 studies selected. Our results showed no significant improvements in HRV with the practice of Qì Gōng, probably because of data heterogeneity. We found 5 types of Qì Gōng, 3 different instruments and different time intervals to measure HRV and 2 different age groups in the studies. We can conclude that there is evidence that Qì Gōng can improve HRV but studies that would use the same parameters are needed to further confirm that.

Effect of Heartfulness cleaning and meditation on heart rate variability

“…Frequency domain analysis parameters of HRV like LFnu, HFnu and LF/HF are considered to be representative of the autonomic tone. The practice of various types of meditation has consistently shown to increase the parasympathetic tone (increase in HFnu) and reduce the sympathetic tone (LFnu and LF/HF) for the duration of meditation 7, 11. The analysis of HRV data for these parameters in present study revealed that LFnu and LF/HF decreased whereas HFnu increased during cleaning and meditation, compared to their baseline values, thereby indicating that parasympathetic dominance operated during both these procedures.…”

“…In such studies, one of the frequently used variable has been heart rate variability (HRV), a psycho-physiological parameter which is robust marker of mortality and cardiovascular health. Several studies have clearly shown the salutary effects of meditation on HRV 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. However, Heartfulness practices and their effect on cardiovascular measures has not been studied yet.…”

<p>How Can Alternative Exercise Traditions Help Against the Background of the COVID-19 in Cancer Care? An Overview of Systematic Reviews</p>

“…Practicing Tai Chi and Qigong may reduce the sympathetic nerve tension, increase the parasympathetic nerve tension, and improve the peripheral autonomic nerve activity. 68 , 69 In addition, the training content of alternative exercise traditions is simple and requires minimal equipment and venues. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these forms of exercise are safer and more natural than other sports activities.…”

Radically Embodied Compassion: The Potential Role of Traditional Martial Arts in Compassion Cultivation

“…The power of martial arts as a mind-body practice and discipline potentially lies in their ability to foster optimal sympathovagal balance that affords flexible and optimal compassionate responding. Similar other mind-body practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong and yoga that pair mindful movement with breathing/breath control exercises have been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (Ramos et al, 2017;Sullivan et al, 2018;Walther et al, 2018) and many martial forms/kata have sections that are deliberately practiced in a slow, controlled and meditative way (Rawcliffe, 2003). Paced rhythmic breathing synchronized with rhythmic muscle contraction activates and produces a more resilient parasympathetic response in the face of stress than either alone (Chin and Kales, 2019), both of which are integral to martial arts practice and are often seen in prearranged practice drills (i.e., Kihon), all conducted with respect for oneself and one's partner.…”