Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background Many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue, mood, and sleep disturbances. Purpose To compare a Meditative Movement practice, Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE), with sham Qigong (SQG), testing effects of meditation/breath aspects of QG/TCE on breast cancer survivors' persistent fatigue and other symptoms. Methods A double-blind, randomized controlled trial tested 12-weeks of QG/TCE versus SQG on fatigue, depression and sleep among 87 post-menopausal, fatigued breast cancer survivors, Stage 0-III, age 40–75. Results Fatigue decreased significantly in the QG/TCE group compared to control at post-intervention (p = 0.005) and 3 month follow-up (p = 0.024), but not depression and sleep quality. Improvement occurred over time for both interventions in depression and sleep quality (all p < 0.05). Conclusions QG/TCE showed significant improvement over time compared to SQG for fatigue, but not depression or sleep. Both QG/TCE and SQG showed improvement for two prevalent symptoms among breast cancer survivors, depression and sleep dysfunction.

Effects of Kyusho Jitsu on Physical Activity-levels and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients

“…This study was intentionally designed as a cross-over study, however due to the high drop-out rate before and after the cross-over, the study was discontinued. Previous martial arts studies have also reported relatively high drop-out rates, suggesting that these type of interventions are not suitable for everyone (17,16). This applies to our study as well.…”

“…When designing this randomized controlled two-armed intervention study we hypothesized that a holistic training program which is based on "Kyusho Jitsu" martial arts and lasts for 24 weeks is feasible and will have a positive effect experienced side effect, were also supported (16,23). Further, it may lead to improvements in overall quality of life (24) and psychological well-being (14).…”

“…In the past few years numerous studies have shown that exercise programs can significantly improve treatment-related side effects such as lymphedema and fatigue (12,13). Different training protocols have been evaluated, however only few studies have investigated the influence of martial arts interventions in the prevention of mental disorders (14) or the rehabilitation of cancer (15), in particular breast cancer (16,17). These studies found, that martial arts interventions are not only feasible and acceptable (15) but may also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve general psychosocial well-being (14).…”

“…These studies found, that martial arts interventions are not only feasible and acceptable (15) but may also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve general psychosocial well-being (14). One study even found a significant reduction in one of the most common side-effects of breast cancer treatment: fatigue (16). To further explore the effects of martial arts interventions in breast cancer patients, this study was designed and conducted to to assess the feasibility of a "Kyusho Jitsu"-based intervention.…”

Critical Review in Qigong & Immunity Cancer Research

“…The study conducted by Larkey et al [5] aimed to examine the differences between these three components together versus physical exercise alone for the clinical beneficial effects of Qigong using a double-blind, randomized controlled trial over 12 weeks of Qigong /TCE versus Sham Qigong on fatigue, depression, and sleep among 87 postmenopausal, fatigued breast cancer survivors, stages 0-III, age 40-75. The researchers concluded that gentle exercise -that is, simply getting breast cancer survivors moving -may be beneficial in reducing a number of symptoms and boosting well-being of breast cancer survivors (depression and sleep quality).…”