Author: Sha ZG//Gray John Gray//Targ E//Liganor EG//Hudoba P//Berk I
Conference/Journal: First World Symp on Self-Healing & Power of Consciousness
Date published: 2001
Other:
Pages: 31 , Word Count: 343
A pilot Study was designed to investigate the role and efficacy of Zhi Neng Qi Gong and Western psychological techniques of stress management as a plausible complementary treatment of cancer. The Mars Venus Institute and the International Institute of Zhi Neng Medicine were the co-sponsors of the study, which was located in San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Three times a week, for three months, 30 patients suffering from various types of cancer in various stages (mostly stage 3 and 4) were treated in a group by the regimen of Zhi Neng Medicine Qi Gong combined with Western psychological techniques for stress management. Patients received individual acupuncture and/or herb prescriptions and practiced Zhi Neng Medicine Qi Gong for at least 1 hour each day at home. Stress management techniques were applied throughout the day as needed. Stress management included cutting back on sugar, drinking more water and going for regular walks to decharge stress and recharge in nature. Specific meditations, visualizations and spiritual prayer were practiced to release negative emotions and activate the body's self-healing capacity. No particular belief in God or religious affiliation was required. Some patients received Western medical treatment from cancer specialists.
Retrospective analysis of data from the study shows that most of the patients exhibited improvement in general well being, an increase in optimism and energy level, as well as improvement of systemic cancer symptoms. The mean value of the Karnofsky score changed from 78.2 (pre) to 85.5 (post) with p value 0.017, which was statistically significant. There was also a trend toward improvement in quality of life. The mean value of the EORTC Quality of Life score changed from 53.3 (pre) to 63.7 (post) with p value 0.089. Detailed analysis of the data will be discussed during the presentation. In several cases, image studies (CT/MRI) confirmed marked reduction or complete remission of neoplastic lesions. Some patients received no other treatment outside the study. The study treatment was well tolerated and no complications arose. The results of this pilot study suggest the possible efficacy of combining Zhi Neng Medicine Qi Gong and Western psychological stress management techniques. _