Qigong Shown Helpful For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Qigong exercise is widely used to aid a variety of health issues with physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.  While qigong is hard to generalize about, as there are thousands of different forms and variations of the exercises, it appears from research to hold some fairly clear benefits regardless of which form is practiced.  In our center we tend to practice Da Peng Gong and a form called the Tai Chi Dao Yin - both of which are relatively easy to learn and quite effective.

In a recent study researchers from the University of Hong Kong looked at whether or not qigong is helpful in patients with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Researchers recruited 64 patients and divided them evenly between a qigong exercise program and a wait-list control group.  They then practiced qigong over a 4 month period.  Researchers used various scales to measure overall fatigue symptoms, physical strength, cognitive ability and clarity and telomerase activity (an enzyme which when found at decreased levels mental and physical health is weakened). 

Overall researchers found significant improvement in the qigong group compared with the control group.  The qigong group also showed significant increases in telomerase activity.  The researchers concluded that qigong exercise "may be used as an alternative and complementary therapy or rehabilitative program for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome."