Peer-Reviewed Research: Qigong and Cancer Care: Enhancing Quality of Life
The search for supportive care strategies in oncology has increasingly led researchers and clinicians toward complementary therapies that prioritize holistic well-being. Among these, Qigong—a traditional Chinese meditative movement practice—has garnered particular attention for its potential role in improving the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. The 2025 umbrella review by Xu et al., titled “Effectiveness of Qigong and Tai Chi for Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis,” published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, offers a comprehensive synthesis of available systematic reviews and meta-analyses on this topic. The study rigorously investigates the clinical effectiveness of Qigong and Tai Chi (QTC) in cancer patients’ QoL and provides evidence-based insights into its physiological and psychological mechanisms.
Understanding Quality of Life in Cancer Patients
QoL in the context of cancer refers to a patient’s physical, psychological, and social well-being throughout the course of disease and treatment. Cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often induce debilitating side effects such as fatigue, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and peripheral neuropathy—symptoms that may persist for years post-treatment and severely impact daily function. Against this backdrop, the need for adjunct therapies that mitigate these effects and promote resilience is clear.
Qigong and Tai Chi, grounded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), emphasize slow, mindful movement, breath regulation, and mental focus. These modalities are said to harmonize the circulation of "Qi" (vital energy), enhance immune function, and restore the unity of body and mind—claims now partially supported by empirical studies.
Overall Effectiveness of QTC on Quality of Life
The umbrella review analyzed nine systematic reviews (SRs) encompassing 56 unique randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a combined total of over 4,000 participants. Of these, six SRs provided sufficient data for new meta-analyses. The findings confirmed that QTC, particularly Qigong and Tai Chi, significantly improved overall QoL in cancer patients compared to control groups receiving routine care or alternative therapies.
Meta-analysis results indicated a large effect size in QoL improvement at the end of QTC intervention (SMD 1.25, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.16). When Qigong was used adjunctively with standard cancer treatment, it yielded an even stronger improvement in QoL (SMD 2.13, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.25). Tai Chi also showed superior benefits compared to psychosocial support alone (SMD 1.84, 95% CI 0.12 to 3.55).
Subgroup analyses further validated QTC’s positive effects on various cancer types, particularly in breast cancer patients (SMD 0.70, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.21), as well as in mixed cancer populations involving breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers (SMD 3.15, 95% CI 2.46 to 3.84). These results suggest a broad applicability of QTC across cancer types and stages, though the most robust evidence currently centers on breast cancer survivors.
Mechanisms Behind QoL Improvement
The observed improvements in QoL are multi-dimensional, involving both physiological and psychological pathways.
1. Reduction in Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms among cancer patients. Ten RCTs involving 729 participants demonstrated that QTC significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue (SMD −1.03, 95% CI −1.57 to −0.48). Mechanistically, this benefit may be attributed to the combination of gentle movement and breath-focused meditation, which has been shown in other studies to reduce inflammatory cytokines, enhance mitochondrial function, and improve physical endurance.
Qigong was also more effective than light physical exercise or stretching in reducing fatigue, suggesting that the mind-body integration inherent to QTC offers additional therapeutic effects beyond mere movement.
2. Enhancement of Sleep Quality
Poor sleep is a common issue in oncology care, particularly during chemotherapy. Meta-analyses of RCTs using the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale (VSHSS) demonstrated a dramatic improvement in sleep quality among cancer patients practicing QTC (SMD 3.49, 95% CI 3.05 to 3.94). However, trials using other instruments like PSQI showed less consistent effects.
This discrepancy may be due to variations in sleep assessment tools and the heterogeneity of QTC protocols. Nevertheless, the large effect size in the VSHSS-measured trials highlights the potential of QTC to restore circadian rhythm and relaxation via parasympathetic activation and reduced cortisol levels.
3. Reduction in Anxiety
QTC was also found to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Meta-analysis across three RCTs (n=300) showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores at the end of the intervention (SMD −0.99, 95% CI −1.90 to −0.07). These benefits may be mediated through improved vagal tone, increased heart rate variability, and downregulation of stress response systems.
Studies suggest that Qigong’s slow, rhythmical movement coupled with breath awareness can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, and activate the brain’s calming networks, including GABAergic pathways.
4. Effects on Depression
The findings on depression were more nuanced. While five RCTs explored depression outcomes using tools like CESD, BDI, and POMS, the pooled analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between QTC and controls (SMD −0.49, 95% CI −1.12 to 0.14). However, trends favored QTC, and lack of statistical power due to heterogeneity and small sample sizes may have masked clinically meaningful effects.
Safety and Accessibility
Importantly, no serious adverse events were reported across any of the reviewed trials, underscoring the safety of QTC for vulnerable cancer populations. Moreover, QTC can be performed at home using DVDs, booklets, or online classes, making it highly accessible for individuals who may be recovering from intensive medical treatments.
Heterogeneity and Standardization Challenges
While the findings are promising, the review highlighted several methodological challenges:
Variability in QTC protocols: Studies used different forms of Qigong (e.g., Guolin Qigong, Baduanjin), frequencies (1–14 sessions/week), and durations (20 minutes to 2 hours).
Inconsistency in outcome measures: QoL was measured using diverse instruments (FACT-G, FACT-B, SF-36), which complicates data synthesis.
Participant diversity: The studies included patients with a wide range of cancers at different stages, introducing heterogeneity in physiological status and symptomatology.
To resolve these issues, the authors recommend developing standardized QTC protocols and consistent use of validated QoL assessment tools in future RCTs.
Clinical Implications and Future Directions
The umbrella review provides strong evidence that Qigong and Tai Chi can meaningfully enhance QoL in cancer patients, particularly through improvements in fatigue, sleep, and anxiety. These practices are low-cost, safe, and adaptable, making them suitable adjuncts to conventional oncology care.
Given the promising results, clinicians may consider recommending QTC—especially for breast cancer survivors and those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Future research should focus on:
Longitudinal studies assessing sustained QoL improvements
Mechanistic studies exploring biomarkers like cortisol, BDNF, and inflammatory cytokines
Protocols comparing group-based versus self-guided QTC formats
Standardized guidelines for QTC practice in oncology settings
Conclusion
Qigong, as part of the broader QTC category, offers a compelling complementary therapy for improving quality of life in cancer patients. Its multi-modal benefits—spanning physical stamina, emotional resilience, and sleep quality—align well with the holistic needs of cancer survivors. While further refinement in methodology and standardization is needed, the existing body of evidence supports the integration of QTC into supportive cancer care.
Reference (APA Format):
Xu, J., Li, H., Sze, D. M.-Y., Chan, V. W. S., & Yang, A. W. H. (2025). Effectiveness of Qigong and Tai Chi for quality of life in patients with cancer: An umbrella review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25(141).
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