Media

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

28 Mar 2012

 

There are on average over 25,000 new cases of cancer diagnosis in Hong Kong every year. 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.

Past medical studies show that cancer patients and their caregivers have complaints such as insomnia, anxiety and fatigue. About 6 to 15% of cancer patients could be diagnosed with depression. Apart from emotional distress, cognitive impairment is associated with cancer and cancer therapies.

Qigong and quality of life

According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi is the foundation of life responsible for one's immune system. The depletion of qi causes a variety of symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy.

Qigong, or the practice of qi, 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 (CBH) and the International Association for Health and Yangsheng (IAHY) found that qigong exercise can alleviate fatigue symptoms in chronically ill patients. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS), the current study seeks to explore whether qigong can improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their family caregivers. (For results of the previous study, please consult Appendix II.)

Qigong for cancer patients and caregivers - Hong Kong's first study

In view of the needs of families coping with cancer, the CBH, the IAHY and the HKACS jointly organize a clinical study titled ‘Walking Hand-in-Hand - A Qigong Efficacy Study for Cancer Patients and Caregivers'.  This is Hong Kong's first clinical study that looks into the effects of qigong practice on the quality of life of both cancer patients and their family caregivers. Our aim is to investigate in a scientific way the efficacy of qigong, an indigenous form of exercise in China, and to explore evidence-based practices that would lead to improvements in quality of life for families coping with cancer.

Words from the experts

Professor Cecilia Chan, who has researches on the psychosocial well-being of cancer patients and supportive cancer care, points out that not only patients but also their family members are under a lot of pressure. ‘Family caregivers have to take care of the patient while dealing with their own stress quietly. Qigong is a mind-body exercise that helps them restore the internal balance, both in a physical and in a psychological way,' Prof Chan says.

She adds, ‘In our past studies conducted with people with chronic fatigue syndrome, we found that qigong practice can help improve the overall quality of life of patients. We are very excited to partner with HKACS this time to expand our scope of research to cancer patients.'

Qigong master Dr Yuen Lai-ping offers her advice to patients. ‘Cancer patients who are looking for a speedy recovery should start from improving their diet, habits and daily routine. Together with the practice of qigong, they will be able to restore the inner balance between yin and yang, and achieve a better state of well-being.'

Dr Jonatham Sham, a clinical oncologist, says, ‘With the latest advances in medicine, there have been a lot of improvements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and targeted therapy. The result is more effective interventions with fewer side effects. That said, patients still suffer from common side effects such as fatigue and loss of appetite, affecting their quality of life. The use of Chinese medicine, including qigong, as a complementary therapy can be an effective remedy. I hope that with this study, we can gather more evidence on the effectiveness of qigong exercise, so that more patients can benefit from it.'

Lastly, Mrs Chu Yeung Pak-yu, executive committee member of HKACS, concludes, ‘The HKACS's Walking Hand-in-Hand Jessie & Thomas Tam Cancer Family Support Program is committed to helping cancer patients and their family members cope with difficulties such as treatment side effects and emotional stress. I encourage all cancer patients and their family caregivers to become a participant of this meaningful study. I believe they will benefit greatly from it.'

About wuxing-pinghenggong

Wuxing-pinghenggong was developed by Dr Yuen based on her own study of qigong since young age. The sequence was specifically designed for the needs of modern life and has 10 movements.

For enquiries, please contact HKU Centre on Behavioral Health, tel: 28315158.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Chan Hang-yee, Senior Research Coordinator, Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong (Tel:   2831 5579 Email: chan.hangyee@hku.hk)