A randomized controlled trial of qigong for fibromyalgia

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is difficult to treat and requires the use of multiple approaches. This study is a randomized controlled trial of qigong compared with a wait-list control group in fibromyalgia.

Methods: One hundred participants were randomly assigned to immediate or delayed practice groups, with the delayed group receiving training at the end of the control period. Qigong training (level 1 Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong, CFQ), given over three half-days, was followed by weekly review/practice sessions for eight weeks; participants were also asked to practice at home for 45 to 60 minutes per day for this interval. Outcomes were pain, impact, sleep, physical function and mental function, and these were recorded at baseline, eight weeks, four months and six months. Immediate and delayed practice groups were analyzed individually compared to the control group, and as a combination group.

Results: In both the immediate and delayed treatment groups, CFQ demonstrated significant improvements in pain, impact, sleep, physical function and mental function when compared to the wait-list/usual care control group at eight weeks, with benefits extending beyond this time. Analysis of combined data indicated significant changes for all measures at all times for six months, with only one exception. Post-hoc analysis based on self-reported practice times indicated greater benefit with the per protocol group compared to minimal practice.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CFQ, a particular form of qigong, provides long-term benefits in several core domains in fibromyalgia. CFQ may be a useful adjuvant self-care treatment for fibromyalgia.

Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT00938834.

Figure 1

Screening, randomization and disposition of participants.

Figure 2

Effects of CFQ practice on pain, function and sleep. Change from baseline in (A) numerical rating scale-pain intensity (NRS-PI) score, (B) fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) score, and (C) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores in immediate and delayed qigong practice groups compared to the wait-list/usual care control. Values are means for the (•) usual care, (◇) immediate practice, and (Δ) delayed practice groups. Numbers at bottom of panels indicate mean (SD) values for respective groups. Between-group P-values indicated within figure. B, baseline; mo, month.

Figure 3

Effects of CFQ practice on physical and mental function. Changes from baseline in (A) SF- physical, and (B) SF-mental scores in immediate and delayed qigong practice groups compared to the wait-list/usual care control. Values are means for the (•) usual care, (◇) immediate practice and (Δ) delayed practice groups. Numbers at bottom of panels indicate mean (SD) values for respective groups. Between-group P-values indicated within the figure. B, baseline; mo, month.

Figure 4

Mean differences from baseline for all participants who completed CFQ training and practice. (A) NRS-PI, (B) FIQ, (C) PSQI, (D) SF- physical, (E) SF-mental scores. Numbers at bottom of panels indicate mean(SD) values for respective groups. Between-group P-values indicated within figure. B, baseline; mo, month.

Figure 5

Comparison of outcomes in the per protocol practice group and those who practiced minimally. Values are means for those who practiced minimally (≤ 3 h/week, N = 11), and those who practiced as per protocol (≥ 5 h/week, N = 38). Numbers at the bottom of the figure indicate mean (SD) values. Between-group P-values indicated within figure. B, baseline; mo, month.