The extent of the qigong state significantly affects the physical and psychological effect and the health-protecting results of the qigong exercise. This study inquires into factors that affect the qigong state. It is important to understand the relationship between the qigong state and the internal and external environment, and to increase the extent of the qigong state. It will also help in gradually clarifying the mechanism of qigong.
The psychology questionnaire scale used in the study was formulated by the author. The scale consists of 14 items. The effect of each item is divided into five grades, i. e. very low, low, medium effect, high, very high. The first two grades are regarded as having little effect whereas the other three are regarded as having a marked effect. Arranged according to the percentage of items that have a marked effect on the qigong state, the results of exercisers are as follows: emotional stability, proper instruction, perseverance, muscle relaxation during the exercise, confidence in the exercise, quiet environment, a good understanding of the method and main points of the exercise, believing in qigong, concentration of mind, patience, correct posture, coordinate breathing, proper temperature, and urgency in the exercise. The respective percentage being: 97.83%, 95.31%, 94.85%, 94.16%, 94.07%, 91.97%, 91.37%, 90.37%, 88.89%, 85.40%, 85.29%, 84.44%, 81.20%, 80.10%.
The results show that the aforesaid 14 factors have a marked effect on the qigong state. Among them the following 5 factors have a percentage above 94%: emotional stability, proper instruction, perseverance, muscle relaxation during the exercise, and confidence in the exercise. The effect of these 5 factors on the qigong state is greater than that of such factors as a quiet environment, correct posture, coordinate breathing, proper temperature and urgency in the exercise. The difference is statistically significant.
Both the qigong masters and exercisers should pay more attention to the aforesaid 14 factors, especially to the first five. These factors are helpful for reducing the time needed for reaching the qigong state and enhancing the effect of qigong to receive a better therapeutic effect.
The fact that emotional stability has the greater effect on the qigong state offers some insight into the mechanism of qigong. Emotion is a function of the brain. The nerve center under the cerebral cortex has an important position in the physical mechanism of emotion. The nerve center which controls the autonomic system and adjusts the function of the internal organs is located under the cerebral cortex. Thus emotional changes can cause changes in the internal organs and glands including the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the endocrine system and exocrine glands such as sweat glands. The author thinks that emotional stability not only helps enter the qigong state, but also is one of the important factors that enables qigong to adjust the function of the human body and cure or prevent diseases.
