Hypertension is an extremely prevalent disease and an important risk factor in cardio-cerebral vascular disease. In recent years, due to the changes of medical patterns, the variation of disease manual and seniligation of the population structure, non- pharmaceutical treatment of mental and physical self-tempering has been popularly devoted much attention by the masses of the world.
Qigong is one of the traditional Chinese exercises for medical and health care. Since 1958 we have focused on applying Qigong for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and anti-aging research. Substantial data suggested that Qigong could regulate body function in various ways and it was an effective measure for medical setting up.
Treating Hypertension
204 patients with essential hypertension were randomly allocated to Qigong group (Qigong with small dose of routine anti hyper tension drugs, N=104) and a control group (taking the same small dose of the routine anti-hypertension drugs as the Qigong group only without Qigong). The age, sex, duration and stage of disease, blood pressure levels, program of drug administration of the two groups were comparable.
A five year follow-up showed that blood steady rate was 86.0-90.0% and 67.0-70.1% respectively, much in favor of the Qigong group (P<O.01).
Through a controlled investigation of 3,819 hypertensive patients, in Qigong group (2764) the effectiveness rates at 1 year was stabilized in 85.0-90.0%, compared with the control group (N= 1055) 65.0-70.0%.
Further analysis revealed that 40% of the Qigong group reduced their anti-hypertensive drugs dosage as the blood pressure were stabilized. In contrast 30% of the control group increased their anti-hypertensive drug administration. The difference was obviously significant
Preventing stroke:
244 hypertensive patients were divided into a Qigong group (N= 122) and a control group (N=120). A 30 year follow up showed that the accumulative mortality rate during follow-up was 25.40% in the qigong group, significantly lower than 47.50 % in the control group. Further analysis showed that the incidence of stroke and death due to stroke in the Qigong group was 20.44 % and 15.57%, respectively, compared with 40.83% and 32.50% in the control group. Both rates in the Qigong group were significantly lower (p<O.01).
Substantial data suggested Qigong played a major role in both improving the self-regulation and relaxing the multiple cardio-cerebra-vascular disease risk factor, this might be the mechanism by which hypertension was controlled and stroke was prevented.
l. Comparative observation of plasma NE level:
NE levels before Qigong and at rest was 709.34 (+ or -) 235.47(Pg/L) and 676.66 (+ or -) 127.94 (Pg/L), respectively. It decreased by 326.75 (+ or -) 195.91 after qigong but decreased by 114.32 (+ or -) 189 95 (Pg/L) after rest. The results suggested qigong exercise can reduce the excitability sympathetic nervous activity.
2. Comparative observation of serum lipid carrying protein:
Before treatment, serum Apo B level was elevated, while Apo A level was decreased. After six months of practicing qigong, serum levels of total cholesterol (TG), triglyceride (TG) and Apo B were decreased, while serum levels of HDL-C and Apo A were increased significantly. The results suggested that qigong can regulate the metabolism of lipids.
3. Comparative observation of plasma insulin and glucose.
Fasting plasma insulin level, insulin/glucose ratio and plasma insulin level during intravenous glucose tolerance test were higher in hypertensive patients than those in normal tensive subjects. After six months of qigong practice, plasma insulin level decreased from 21.88 (+ or -) 5.13 (IU) to 16.27 (+ or -) 2.46 (IU). And insulin/glucose ratio decreased from 2.88 (+ or -) 0.72 to 2.47 (+ or -) 0.04. The results suggested that qigong exercise can regulatory metabolism of glucose.
4 Comparative observation of plasma coagulation fibrinolysis indices
The level of plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator(TPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), VIII factor related antigen (VIII R: Ag) and anti-thrombin(AT-III) were determined. After one year of practicing qigong, plasma tPA and AT-III levels were decreased, while plasma tPA and At-VIII levels increased. The results indicated that qigong could improve the function of coagulation-fibrinolytic system
5 .Comparative observation of microcirculation:
A multifunctional micro image manipulation and measuring system for microcirculation study was performed. The results showed that nail fold capillary blood velocity was raised from 0.2940 (+ or -) 0.0208 mm to 0.3045 (+ or -) 0.0236 mm. The diameter and length of afferent limb tend to increase
These changes indicated the effect of qigong practice on microcirculation.
Slowing down the aging process
Substantial data suggest that qigong was an effective measure for preventing and treating geriatric diseases. We have found that qigong could regulate Yin and Yang, nourish the essence of life, replenish the kidneys and serve in anti-aging.
The incidence of dementia in a senile group is higher than in non-senile group. Further analysis showed that the incidence of dementia in hypertension patients is significantly higher than in normal tensive subjects.
The intelligence reduction in cerebrovascular dementia as shown by right answer rate was mainly in the item of time, orientation, calculation, or recent memory. Our past experimental data suggested that qigong had definite regulatory effect on cerebral function. Three tests for brain power was adapted to a controlled study on brain function. Determine the index included read of pictures, digits span and time of reaction. After Qigong treatment, read of pictures and digits span were increased. While time of reaction was decreased. The above results indicated that qigong has a beneficial effect on brain function and quality of life.
