The Effects of Qigong Therapy on Glucose Management inPatients with Type 2 Diabetes

Guan-Cheng Sun, Ph.D., Jennifer Lovejoy, Ph.D., Sara Gillham, NGuan-Cheng Sun, Ph.D., Jennifer Lovejoy, Ph.D., Sara Gillham, N..DD. Candidate, . Candidate, Amy Putiri, MAmy Putiri, M..SS.N., .N., and Ryan Bradley, N.D.and Ryan Bradley, N.D.

Bastyr University Research Center Bastyr University Research Center

Introduction

Method

Qigong is a traditional Chinese energy medicine practice combining breathing, movement, and meditation. Previous uncontrolled studies suggest that Qigong practice has beneficial effects on some of the metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the potential beneficial effects of Qigong on the management of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this research project was to conduct a randomized, controlled pilot study to examine the effectiveness of Qigong therapy on type 2 diabetes relative to physical exercise or standard of care, and to identify metabolic responses to Qigong therapy.

A total of 32 participants were randomly assigned to qigong, or progressive resistance training (PRT), or non-treated control group for a 12 week intervention. Participants in qigong and PRT groups were asked to practice 30 minutes per session, three times a week including a weekly group practice with a certified instructor. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C, insulin, C-peptide, the the Perceived Perceived Stress Scale Stress Scale (PSS)(PSS) and BMI were determined before and after the intervention. An estimate of insulin resistance, the HOMA-IR Index score, was calculated based on glucose and insulin values before and after the intervention.

ResultsFasting plasma glucose levels decreased Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased significantly after Qigong therapy significantly after Qigong therapy (P=0.003), but increased slightly (NS) in (P=0.003), but increased slightly (NS) in both PRT and control groups as both PRT and control groups as shown in shown in Figure 1.Figure 1. The The Perceived Stress Scale Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score decreased significantly in (PSS) score decreased significantly in Qigong therapy (P=0.05), declined in the Qigong therapy (P=0.05), declined in the PRT group (NS), and remained PRT group (NS), and remained unchanged in the control group during the unchanged in the control group during the interventions shown in Figure 2. interventions shown in Figure 2.

ConclusionQigong has statistically significant beneficial effects on glycemia and PSS and clinically favorable shift on insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results were less consistent for PRT, which tended to have a beneficial effect on PSS but an adverse effect on fasting glucose and insulin resistance. A larger randomized controlled trial is required to confirm these preliminary results.

PN: 3149

Figure 2. PSS Score Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0,

Green Bar—Week 12

Figure 1. Fasting Glucose level Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 4,Yellow Bar—Week8, Red Bar—Week 12

Figure 4. HOMA-IR Index Score Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 12

Figure 3. BMI Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 4,Yellow Bar—Week 8, Red Bar—Week 12

The Body Mass Index (BMI) increased significantly (P=0.03) in the non-treated control group, but tended to decrease (NS) in both the PRT and Qigong groups as shown in Figure 3. The HOMA-IR Index score increased in both PRT and control groups, but decreased in the Qigong group shown in Figure 4.

Table1. Baseline Characteristics of the Participants

This research was supported by grants from NCCAM, The Seattle Foundation and IQ&IAM

(p=0.003)

*

(p=0.03)*

*

(p=0.05)

*

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