TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in cancer patients
T2 - A randomized controlled trial
AU - Oh, Byeongsang
AU - Butow, Phyllis N.
AU - Mullan, Barbara A.
AU - Clarke, Stephen J.
AU - Beale, Philip J.
AU - Pavlakis, Nick
AU - Lee, Myeong Soo
AU - Rosenthal, David S.
AU - Larkey, Linda
AU - Vardy, Janette
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgements This study was supported by the University of Sydney Cancer Research Fund. The authors would like to thank the support provided for the study by the medical oncologists of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital. The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of the biostatistician, Prof. Judy Simpson, who provided statistical assistance and especially to thank the participants who made this study possible.
Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Purpose: Cancer patients often experience diminished cognitive function (CF) and quality of life (QOL) due to the side effects of treatment and the disease symptoms. This study evaluates the effects of medical Qigong (MQ; combination of gentle exercise and meditation) on CF, QOL, and inflammation in cancer patients. Methods: Eighty-one cancer patients recruited between October 2007 and May 2008 were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (n=44) who received the usual health care and an intervention group (n=37) who participated in a 10-week MQ program. Self-reported CF was measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC-CF) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive (FACT-Cog). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) was used to measure QOL. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed as a biomarker of inflammation. Results: The MQ group self-reported significantly improved CF (mean difference (MD)=7.78, t 51=-2.532, p=0.014) in the EORTC-CF and all the FACT-Cog subscales [perceived cognitive impairment (MD=4.70, t 43=-2.254, p=0.029), impact of perceived cognitive impairment on QOL (MD=1.64, t 45=-2.377, p=0.024), and perceived cognitive abilities (MD=3.61, t 45=-2.229, p=0.031)] compared to controls. The MQ group also reported significantly improved QOL (MD=12.66, t 45=-5.715, p<0.001) and had reduced CRP levels (MD=-0.72, t 45=2.092, p=0.042) compared to controls. Conclusions: Results suggest that MQ benefits cancer patients' self-reported CF, QOL, and inflammation. A larger randomized controlled trial including an objective assessment of CF is planned.
AB - Purpose: Cancer patients often experience diminished cognitive function (CF) and quality of life (QOL) due to the side effects of treatment and the disease symptoms. This study evaluates the effects of medical Qigong (MQ; combination of gentle exercise and meditation) on CF, QOL, and inflammation in cancer patients. Methods: Eighty-one cancer patients recruited between October 2007 and May 2008 were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (n=44) who received the usual health care and an intervention group (n=37) who participated in a 10-week MQ program. Self-reported CF was measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC-CF) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive (FACT-Cog). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) was used to measure QOL. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed as a biomarker of inflammation. Results: The MQ group self-reported significantly improved CF (mean difference (MD)=7.78, t 51=-2.532, p=0.014) in the EORTC-CF and all the FACT-Cog subscales [perceived cognitive impairment (MD=4.70, t 43=-2.254, p=0.029), impact of perceived cognitive impairment on QOL (MD=1.64, t 45=-2.377, p=0.024), and perceived cognitive abilities (MD=3.61, t 45=-2.229, p=0.031)] compared to controls. The MQ group also reported significantly improved QOL (MD=12.66, t 45=-5.715, p<0.001) and had reduced CRP levels (MD=-0.72, t 45=2.092, p=0.042) compared to controls. Conclusions: Results suggest that MQ benefits cancer patients' self-reported CF, QOL, and inflammation. A larger randomized controlled trial including an objective assessment of CF is planned.
KW - Cancer
KW - Cognitive function
KW - Inflammation
KW - Medical Qigong
KW - Quality of life
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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-011-1209-6
DO - 10.1007/s00520-011-1209-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 21688163
AN - SCOPUS:84863981571
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 20
SP - 1235
EP - 1242
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 6
ER -