This report demonstrates the effect of self-control qigong on some biochemical profiles in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ten moderate-advanced Type 2 diabetics (7 males and 3 females) were chosen in the study. As soon as the stability of the blood glucose level was obtained after a few days' diet control and rest, the exercise of self-control qigong was taught to the patients and practised twice daily (in the morning and afternoon), 30 min. each time. On the 0, 10th and 20th days, a steamed bread meal test (SBMT) was performed. In this test, routinely, 100 g best quality flour made steamed bread was taken: fasting blood sample and the blood samples at 1 h and 2 h after the meal were sent for determination of glucose and insulin. In the present study, on mornings of the above-mentioned days, fasting blood samples were sent for determination of cholesterol, trnglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, lactic acid, pyruvic acid and glycosyl hemoglobin in addition to glucose and insulin. Blood samples at 1 h and 2 h after intake of the bread meal were sent only for determination of glucose and insulin.

The results showed that on Day O, SBMT demonstrated a diabetic curve with blood glucose level higher at 2 h than fasting and at 1 h. On days 10 and 20, Blood glucose levels at I h were not altered, but they significantly decreased at 2 h as compared with that on Day O (P<0.05), as shown in Table 1. The same condition was with insulin levels (See Table 2). The concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride became lower at 1 h and 2 h, while that of HDL-cholesterol became higher (Table 3). Concentrations of lactic acid and pyruvic acid were markedly lowered (P<0.05) as seen in Table 1. There was no change regarding HbA 1 levels.

The self-control qigong is a pattern of dynamic qigong, in which motion of the body as well as peace of mind are required, the latter being particularly emphasized and attained by concentrative attention to the surroundings or to the practiser's own umbilicus, and also by regulation of the patient's own breath. We are of the opinion that the self-control qigong is an important beneficial adjunct treatment for diabetes.
Whether the self-control qigong has any advantage over ordinary physical exercise is as yet unclear and remains to be clarified.

[in the following tables, ± represents +/-]

Table 1. Changes of blood glucose levels (mg/dl) using SBMT during self-control walking qigong in diabetes mellitus.

Fasting 1 hour 2 hour
____________________________________________________________
DAY 0 174.1±65.87 268.8±64.83 286.6±84.44
DAY 10 152.0±66.67 269.6±73.59 244.1±63.59 *
DAY 20 163.4±67.10 274.1±53.41 252.2±77.53

* P<O. 05, compared with data on Day 0.

Table 2. Changes of plasma insulin levels (µU/ml) using SBMT during self-control qigong in diabetes mellitus

Fasting 1 hour 2 hour
_______________________________________________________________________
DAY 0 23.8±13.74 39.75±25.93 52.O±29.53
DAY 10 16.4±13.13 46.2±32.49 32.4 ± 23.12
DAY 20 14.15±5.17 * 49.9±36.00 41.3±36.93

* P<0.05,compared with data on Day 0.

Table 3. Changes of blood lipids in 20 days' self-control qigong in diabetes mellitus

Cholesterol* Triglyceride* HDL-CH*
__________________________________________________________________________
DAY 0 217.3±50.34 326.5±661.63 58.6±10.O
DAY 10 211.7±31.03 153.7±150.02 64.7±9.53
DAY 20 209.0±35.69 143.3±117.38 66.8±15.18
* mg/dl

Table 4. Changes of blood pyruvic acid and lactic acid (mg/dl) during 20 days' self-control qigong in diabetes mellitus

Pyruvic Acid Latic Acid
____________________________________________________________
DAY 0 1.485±0.39 15.85±4.37
DAY 10 1.179±0.36 * 11.13±4.35 *
DAY 20 1.263±0.31 * 10.47±4.83 *

* P<0.05, compared with data on Day 0.

Preliminary report on the effect of self control qigong on diabetes mellitus