The long-term and anti-aging effects of qigong on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of Qigong on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have been demonstrated in our previous randomized control trial (RCT). Apart from its benefits on increasing vigor and stress relief that may impact the endocrine and immunological systems; Qigong has long been considered as a means to achieve overall health and longevity. OBJECTIVES: The present RCT aims to study the long-term effects of Qigong on fatigue and health functioning, as well as telomerase activity, an anti-aging biomarker. METHODS: A RCT was conducted on 137 CFS patients with 72 patients in Qigong group and 65 in wait list control group. Ten 2-hour sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks) of Qigong exercise was delivered by a Qigong master. Fatigue and health functioning were measured using Chalder's fatigue scale and Short Form-12 in all participants while telomerase activity was analyzed in blood samples drawing from33 participants in Qigong group and 31 in control group. Independent T-test and pairwise T-test were used to analyze between groups and within group changes in all measures. RESULTS: From baseline (T0) to 3month post-intervention (T2), the change of fatigue was significantly greater in Qigong group than in control group (-16.1±10.8, and -6.8±8.2, p <0.001). Both groups did not differ significantly in the change of physical functioning (4.4 ±7.4 and 3.2±6.6, p=0.373); but Qigong group showed greater improvement than control group in mental functioning (8.2 ±11.7 and 1.2 ±9.5, p=0.001). The change of telomerase activity in Qigong group is marginally significant greater than control group (0.08±0.2 vs 0.02±0.06, p=0.099). Qigong group also had a significant increase in telomerase activity from T0 to T2 (from0.10 ±0.05 to 0.18±0.20, p=0.033), but this was not found in the control group (from 0.09 ±0.04 to 0.10±0.06, p=0.176). CONCLUSION: Qigong exercise helps reduce fatigue and improve mental health functioning in long term and also has anti-aging effect on CFS patients.