We are always interested in reading about alternative therapies and chronic illness. Most of these approaches seem to be of dubious value. Some, in fact, likely cause more harm than good. However, there are times when a therapy could be useful, particularly when it is similar to approaches of proven scientific value. An example is a recent study that examined qigong, a popular form of alternative medicine practiced in the Orient. Qigong--an approach that combines gentle exercise with breathing techniques, meditation and visualization – reportedly benefited those who used the techniques during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong. The study by Siu and colleagues looked at 98 people – mostly in their 40s to 50s -- who had enrolled before the SARS outbreak and 70 who enrolled after the disease hit Hong Kong. Three classes were observed for four months before the SARS crisis and for another four months during the outbreak. The participants, who were suffering from chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, continued practicing qigong during the outbreak. The researchers gathered patient-observation from the classes and in-depth interviews with 30 participants. It was reported that none of the participants became infected with SARS.

Comments. The results are vague and unclear, particularly in showing a link between qigong and prevention of SARS. However, there are three findings that suggest performing qigong had its value: First, the skills of breathing techniques, exercise, and visualization, are also used in self-management. Thus, they are the skills that might have been done had participants performed self-management, a method of proven value. Second, qigong gave patients something to do in the face of the uncertainly that accompanied SARS. No one knew whether or not they would be infected with the disease, but they could do what they thought might be useful in preventing SARS. Performing these exercises, in turn, likely led them to think clearly of other steps they could perform to prevent the disease. Finally, the sense of success they found helped them continue their practice of qigong. Qigong may have produced a type of placebo effect but, at the same time, it probably led to some degree of self-confidence that they could prevent SARS through their performance of the qigong exercises.

Do any of you wish to comment about the use of qigong in chronic illness?

J. Y. Siu et al. Qigong practice among chronically ill patients during the SARS outbreak. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2007;16:769-776.