Media

Hong Kong’s First Qigong Efficacy Study for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

23 Mar 2012

 

Cancer is a major illness that often causes distress in patients and their caregivers. An exhausting and treacherous journey to survivorship means a lower quality of life both for those who are fighting against the disease, and for those who are supporting them.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi is the foundation of life responsible for one's immune system. Qigong is an indigenous form of exercise that seeks harmony between a person and his or her environment. Together with healthy diets and daily habits, a qigong practitioner can cultivate an optimal state of well-being.

Past studies conducted by the Centre on Behavioral Health of the University of Hong Kong and the International Association for Health and Yangsheng found that qigong exercise can alleviate fatigue symptoms in chronically ill patients. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, the current study seeks to explore whether qigong can improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their family caregivers. Members of the press are invited to attend a press conference on how qigong can be practiced to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their caregivers. Details of the press conference are as follows:

Date: March 28, 2012 (Wednesday)
Time: 3:00 to 4:30pm
Venue:  Centre on Behavioral Health, 2/F, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, HKU

Guests:
- Prof. Cecilia L. W. CHAN
Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU
- Mrs. Patricia CHU YEUNG Pak-yu, BBS
Executive Committee Member, HKACS
Convenor, "Walking Hand-in-Hand" Cancer Family Support, HKACS
- Professor Jonathan SHAM Shun-tong
Honorary Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
- Dr. YUEN Lai-ping
Chairman, International Association for Health and Yangsheng

Program:

• Introduction to "Walking Hand-in-Hand" Project / Mrs Chu
• Talk on cancer and its impact on patients and caregivers / Prof Sham and Prof Chan
• Live demonstration of qigong moves / Dr Yuen
• Sharing by cancer patients who practice qigong
  
  

For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk or Ms Melanie Wan (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk.