Author: Chi-Chun Kuo1, Chiao-Chen Wang1, Wei-Lun Chang1, Tzu-Ching Liao1, Pei-En Chen2,3, Tao-Hsin Tung4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China.
<sup>2</sup> Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, China.
<sup>3</sup> Taiwan Association of Health Industry Management and Development, Taiwan, China.
<sup>4</sup> Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
Date published: 2021 Apr 8
Other:
Volume ID: 2021 , Pages: 6651238 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2021/6651238. , Word Count: 313
Objective:
Baduanjin is a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise for health improvement. However, a few studies were examining the association between Baduanjin Qigong exercise and cancer patients. This study is conducted to explore the clinical effects of the Baduanjin Qigong exercise among cancer patients.
Methods:
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of the Baduanjin Qigong exercise on cancer patients. We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Airiti Library for all relevant studies from inception through December 31, 2020, without language limitations. Two authors independently screened selected studies, assessed the quality of included studies, and extracted information. Any disagreement was discussed with a third senior author. Summary estimates were obtained using meta-analysis with the random effects model.
Results:
Among the fourteen articles involved in the systematic review, ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Cancer patients with moderate-severe cancer-related fatigue were significantly less in the Baduanjin group compared with the control group (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.17, 0.42]). Three studies used the questionnaire of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) in the assessment of quality of life, and two used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). For FACT-B, the Baduanjin group scored significantly higher than the control group (mean difference = 11.04, 95% CI [9.56, 12.53]). For EORTC QLQ-C30, the Baduanjin group scored significantly higher than the control group (mean difference = 10.57, 95% CI [7.82, 13.32]). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score for sleep quality of the Baduanjin group is significantly lower than the control group (mean difference = -2.89, 95% CI [-3.48, -2.30]).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we found the Baduanjin exercise had positive clinical effects on cancer patients. This meta-analysis not only supported that the Baduanjin exercise can alleviate the degree of cancer-related fatigue in patients but also improved their quality of life and sleep quality. Further long-term follow-up randomized controlled trials are warranted.
PMID: 33880125 PMCID: PMC8049783 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6651238