Effect of external qi by qigong on human lymphocytes and tumor cells in vitro

The growth condition in vitro normal human lymphocytes and tumor cells (human erthroleukemia, K562) influenced by qigong induced external qi was studied by the measure of 3H-Tdr and the technique of tissue culture. The result showed that external qi had different effects on those two kinds of cells. It promoted the growth of normal human lymphocytes (Cpm raised 66% on average, P 0.05), but inhibited the growth of K562 cells (Cpm deceased qi may be an objective substance possessing energy, which had different effects on the cells under different growth condition. External qi can promote normal function of human immune competent cells while killing the tumor cells. Thus qigong is considered as a feasible means to the treatment of human cancers. The mechanism of the effect of the external qi by qigong was discussed.