The Health Promoting Mindfulness or Qigong Educational Programs for Beneficial Lifestyle Changes of Cancer Survivors.


Author: Cheng TC1, Lee YH2,3, Mar CL4, Huang WT5, Chang YP6

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Urology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, 201, Taikang, Taikang Vil., Liouying Dist., Tainan City, 73657, Taiwan.

<sup>2</sup>Department of Administration, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan.

<sup>3</sup>PhD Program in Management, Da-Yeh University, 168 University Road, Dacun, Changhua, 51591, Taiwan.

<sup>4</sup>College of Educational Sciences, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Educational E. Road, Yulin City, Guangxi, 537000, China.

<sup>5</sup>Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, 201, Taikang, Taikang Vil., Liouying Dist., Tainan City, 73657, Taiwan.

<sup>6</sup>Nursing Department, Fooyin University, 151 Jinxue Rd., Daliao Dist., Kaohsiung City, 83102, Taiwan. fyucyp@gmail.com.
Conference/Journal: J Cancer Educ.
Date published: 2019 Apr 17
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s13187-019-01522-5. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 200  
    This study used heart rate variability (HRV) to monitor levels of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors subjected to program measures at different psychosomatic or functional levels. A longitudinal study was conducted at a cancer center in Taiwan. Fifty-two cancer survivals were randomly assigned to either the mindfulness group (n = 25) or the Qigong group (n = 27). Both groups received a 12-week mindfulness and Qigong programs, respectively. Improvements in CRF, QOL, and HRV after a 12-week program and at the 3-month follow-up point. For the long-term effects in both mindfulness and Qigong groups, CRF showed a significant downward trend (p < 0.05), but a significant upward trend was observed in HRV (p < 0.001). Mindfulness and Qigong exhibited different effectiveness in individuals, indicating that the mental and physical aspects of health are equally essential and should be addressed in a complementary combination. These findings are worthy of being shared with cancer survivors to benefit their physical and mental well-being. We suggest that healthcare professionals incorporate mindfulness and Qigong in cancer survivors' daily life as means to encourage lifestyle changes for improving their health.



KEYWORDS: Cancer survivors; Cancer-related fatigue; Heart rate variability; Mindfulness; Qigong



PMID: 31001740  DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-01522-5