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:
1Department of Urology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, 201, Taikang, Taikang Vil., Liouying Dist., Tainan City, 73657, Taiwan.
2Department of Administration, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan.
3PhD Program in Management, Da-Yeh University, 168 University Road, Dacun, Changhua, 51591, Taiwan.
4College of Educational Sciences, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Educational E. Road, Yulin City, Guangxi, 537000, China.
5Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, 201, Taikang, Taikang Vil., Liouying Dist., Tainan City, 73657, Taiwan.
6Nursing 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

BACK