Peer-Reviewed Research: Effect of Qigong Exercise on Non-Motor Function and Life Quality in Stroke Patients
The systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Yi Lan, Qiqi You, Qingqing Jiang, Xiaoxiang Peng, Shiyi Cao, and Jian Sun examines the impact of Qigong exercises on non-motor functions and the quality of life in stroke patients. Stroke is a leading cause of disability globally, resulting in significant impairments in activities of daily living (ADL), neurological function, and quality of life. Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise, has been posited as a beneficial intervention for stroke rehabilitation due to its holistic approach, encompassing physical movements, breathing exercises, and mental focus.
Methods
The authors conducted an extensive electronic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using databases such as PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to August 2022. The review focused on RCTs that examined the effects of various forms of Qigong exercises on stroke patients, specifically measuring outcomes related to ADL, neurological deficit scores (NDS), and stroke-specific quality of life (SSQLS). The meta-analysis included 16 eligible RCTs involving a total of 1253 stroke patients.
Results
The meta-analysis revealed that Qigong exercises significantly improved the daily living activities of stroke patients, as measured by the Barthel Index (MD: 10.72, 95% CI: 5.88-15.57). Additionally, Qigong was associated with improvements in quality of life (SSQLS, MD: 14.41, 95% CI: 5.56-23.25) and reductions in neurological deficit scores (NDS, MD: -4.56, 95% CI: -6.99 to -2.14). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these results, and subgroup analyses indicated that long-term interventions were more effective than short-term ones in improving ADL.
Discussion
The findings suggest that Qigong exercises offer significant benefits for stroke patients beyond motor function rehabilitation. The improvements in ADL and quality of life, coupled with reduced neurological deficits, highlight Qigong as a promising complementary therapy for stroke rehabilitation. The review underscores the safety of Qigong, as no adverse events were reported in the included studies.
The authors note several strengths of their review, including the quantitative synthesis of data and the focus on Qigong exercises, which reduces heterogeneity compared to reviews including various traditional Chinese exercises. However, the review also has limitations, such as the difficulty in blinding participants and personnel in exercise therapy studies and the predominance of Chinese participants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis provide robust evidence supporting the beneficial effects of Qigong exercises on non-motor functions and quality of life in stroke patients. The positive outcomes suggest that Qigong could be integrated into stroke rehabilitation programs to enhance patients' overall recovery and well-being. Future research should aim to validate these findings in diverse populations and explore the long-term benefits of Qigong practice.
Reference
Lan, Y., You, Q., Jiang, Q., Peng, X., Cao, S., & Sun, J. (2023). Effect of Qigong exercise on non-motor function and life quality in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain and Behavior, 13, e3246.
For more information on how practices like Qigong and meditation influence mental and physical health, please head over to www.jadedragon.org.
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