Positive Health Online

Abstract

REUTHER and ALDRIDGE, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany conducted a pilot study to investigate the efficacy of Qigong Yangsheng for the treatment of asthma . Qigong Yangsheng is a health-promoting method of traditional Chinese medicine, combining movement, mental exercise and breathing technique . In China it is used for the therapeutic treatment of bronchial asthma .

Background

Methodology

The authors conducted a single- case research design pilot study with baseline, one teaching phase, a phase of self-practice and a refresher teaching course. 36 asthma patients, with varying degrees of severity of illness were taught, under medical supervision, Qigong Yangsheng. They were requested to exercise independently, if possible, on a daily basis and to keep a diary of their symptoms for 6 months, recording peak-flow measurements 3 times per day, their use of medication, frequency and length of exercise and 5 asthma symptoms: sleeping through the night, coughing, expectoration, dyspnea and general well-being. A 4-week follow-up period was carried out in the same season as the original baseline phase 52 weeks later. An improvement was scored if subjects showed a decrease of at least 10 percent in peak-flow variability between the 1st and 52^nd week.

Results

Improvement occurred more frequently in the group of the exercisers (n = 17) than with the nonexercisers (n = 13). In a comparison between the study year with the year prior to the study, there was also improvement in reduced hospitalisation rate, less sickness leave, reduced antibiotic use and fewer emergency consultations, resulting in reduced treatment costs,

Conclusion

Qigong Yangsheng is recommended for asthma patients under professional supervision . Improvement in airway capability and decrease in illness severity can be achieved by regular self-conducted Qigong Exercises.

References

Reuther I and Aldridge D Qigong Yangsheng as a complementary therapy in the management of asthma: a single-case appraisal J Altern Complement Med 4(2): 173-83. 1998.

Comment

The above two studies show the considerable effort underway to research, blend eastern and western understanding, and progress using techniques of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for health problems. Readers with an interest in breathing techniques for asthma are referred also to the article on Buteyko Breathing in this issue (see page 24). The study below reviews clinical trials of acupuncture and discusses the complexities of research design.