This paper deals with the observation of curative effect and the primary probe of the mechanism concerning the treatment of primary hypertension by qigong exercise with the assistance of biological feedback instrument. A total of 929 cases were observed in contrast,
in which, 639 cases were put under the group of the qigong therapy. Its percentage of effectiveness was 85.13% and that with marked effectiveness was 76.678%, far exceeding that of the control group. Thus the lowering of blood pressure by the qigong therapy has manifested the following distinctive merits:
1. The lowering effect of blood pressure was quick and lasting, and the general symptoms were distinctively relieved. The short term course of treatment for this group was eight weeks. the average range of the step-down of blood pressure was from 23.14mm Hg to 14.08 mm Hg. Besides, for some cases, the blood pressure could be lowered by 12 to 20 mm Hg after one practice of the exercise. Furthermore, the lowering-effect of diastolic pressure was especially significant. In concurrence with the lowering of blood pressure by the qigong exercise, the physical quality of patients, such as appetite, sleep, spirit and physical status were improved markedly. Other chronic diseases were also cured to some extent. According to the long term tracing visit (l to 3 years), the percentage of blood pressure stability of those patients insisting on doing the qigong exercises was 97.7% and rarely with relapse. The status of those interrupting the exercises was inferior.
2. The effect of treatment might be enhanced if stress is laid on doing the exercises according to analysis of syndromes, In accordance with the pathogenesis of hypertension, the quiescent pattern of exercises was used to calm the liver and benefit the kidney . Besides, the root cause and symptoms were both considered, and the quiescent dynamic patterns of exercise were combined, so satisfactory effect of treatment was attained. If the instrumental treatment is supplemented in the initial course of exercises, the effect of treatment would be furthermore enhanced and the course of treatment would be shortened.
3. The lowering of blood pressure by the qigong exercise possesses distinctive social and economical benefit. From the viewpoint of the guiding ideology, the direction of prevention and cure, and the means of medical treatment, the lowering of blood pressure by the qigong exercise suit the tendency of development of modern medicine and it is beneficial to the change of medical model, promoting the alteration of individual treatment to community prevention, and the turning of model of biological medicine to the model of psychological-social-biological medicine. The approaches of this research is based on the a coordination of the three level structure of prevention and treatment with the various medical bases. The enforcement of community prevention in the form of organizing the qigong exercise classes is not only beneficial to giving full play of the enthusiasm of the medical staff at various levels, increasing the quantity of prevention and treatment but also help to close the ties between the medical staff and patients, and promote their psychological and mental health. Thus, the psychosomatic disorders could be prevented and cured. Furthermore, the lowering of blood pressure by the qigong exercise might cut considerably the medical expenses, evade the side effect of drugs and raise the rate of attendance and labor productivity, so its economical benefit is also rather significant.
In the course of clinical treatment, with the exception of observing the system of blood pressure, for a part of patients measurements of blood biochemistry (cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein of low density, etc.), microcirculation, blood rheology, index of immunology, resistance value of meridian points, and skin temperature were made, and the type of disposition was tested. The physiology effect of the lowering of blood pressure by instrument and the qigong exercise and its mechanism was discussed. The results show that, the various laboratory indices before and after the qigong treatment have been changed distinctively and the majority of statistical treatment possesses significant meaning (P<0.01). This implies that the qigong exercises have remarkable regulative effect on the central nervous system, vegetative nervous system, physiology, bio chemistry, metabolism, endocrine, immunological system of the human body and its system of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine. It shows that in respect of the treatment and prevention of hypertension, various chronic diseases and mental and physical sickness, there lies a vast area for scientific exploration.
