Peer-Reviewed Research: The Beneficial Effects of Qigong Training on the Mind–Body Well-Being of Cancer Survivors
Introduction
The article titled "Heart rate variability as an indicator of the beneficial effects of Qigong and mindfulness training on the mind–body well-being of cancer survivors" by Yi-Hua Lee et al., published in Supportive Care in Cancer (2023), examines the effects of Qigong and mindfulness interventions on heart rate variability (HRV) and various psychological and physiological parameters among cancer survivors. This study addresses a significant gap in cancer care, focusing on non-pharmacological interventions to improve quality of life (QOL) and manage cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and fear of recurrence (FOR).
Background
Cancer survivors often experience CRF and FOR, which significantly impact their QOL. These symptoms are linked to autonomic dysfunction, as indicated by HRV parameters. The authors propose that mind-body interventions such as Qigong and mindfulness can improve these conditions by enhancing autonomic regulation.
Methods
The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, recruiting 125 cancer survivors via snowball sampling. Participants were divided into three groups: Qigong, mindfulness, and a control group. Each group received 4 hours of nutrition education at the pretest stage (T0). The interventions spanned 12 weeks, with data collection at pretest (T0), posttest (T1), and follow-up (T2). Measurement tools included CRF, FOR, and QOL questionnaires, and HRV parameters.
Results
Qigong and Mindfulness Effects on CRF and FOR:
Qigong showed a more substantial long-term effect in reducing CRF (ΔT1-T0 = -0.108, ΔT2-T1 = -0.008) and FOR (ΔT1-T0 = -0.069, ΔT2-T1 = -0.150).
Mindfulness demonstrated better long-term improvement in QOL (ΔT1-T0 = 0.096, ΔT2-T1 = 0.013).
HRV Parameters:
Both Qigong and mindfulness improved short-term HRV parameters: SDNN (Qigong: ΔT1-T0 = 1.584; Mindfulness: ΔT1-T0 = 6.979) and TP (Qigong: ΔT1-T0 = 41.601; Mindfulness: ΔT1-T0 = 205.407).
Long-term improvements in LF were more pronounced in the mindfulness group (Mindfulness: ΔT2-T1 = -47.800; Qigong: ΔT2-T1 = -20.110).
Group Comparisons:
CRF scores decreased in both the Qigong and mindfulness groups, whereas the control group saw an increase.
FOR scores decreased in the intervention groups but increased in the control group.
QOL improved in the intervention groups but declined in the control group.
HRV parameters (SDNN and TP) increased in the intervention groups and decreased in the control group.
Discussion
The study highlights the potential of HRV as a reliable indicator of the benefits of mind-body interventions on physical and mental health among cancer survivors. The findings suggest that Qigong and mindfulness can significantly alleviate CRF and FOR, enhancing overall QOL and autonomic function.
Short-term Effects:
Both interventions showed short-term benefits in reducing fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving QOL and autonomic function.
Long-term Effects:
Qigong had sustained benefits in reducing CRF and FOR.
Mindfulness provided long-term improvement in QOL.
The study also underscores the importance of consistent practice and integration of these interventions into daily life to achieve long-lasting benefits. It suggests that a combination of mind-body interventions and proper nutrition can significantly enhance the recovery and overall well-being of cancer survivors.
Conclusion
This study provides robust evidence supporting the use of Qigong and mindfulness as effective non-pharmacological interventions for improving the physical and mental health of cancer survivors. HRV serves as a valuable observational tool to monitor the effectiveness of these interventions. Future research should focus on larger randomized controlled trials to further validate these findings and explore the mechanisms underlying the observed benefits.
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Reference
Lee, Y.-H., Chang, Y.-P., Lee, J.-T., Lee, D.-C., Huang, E.-Y., & Tsai Lai, L.-J. (2023). Heart rate variability as an indicator of the beneficial effects of Qigong and mindfulness training on the mind–body well-being of cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 59.