Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019;42(9):431-439.
doi: 10.1159/000501127. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Effect of Baduanjin Qigong Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yun Lu  1 , Hui-Qin Qu  1 , Feng-Ying Chen  2 , Xiao-Ting Li  3 , Lan Cai  2 , Shan Chen  1 , Yuan-Yuan Sun  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Baduanjin Qigong Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yun Lu et al. Oncol Res Treat. 2019.

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most troubling symptoms of cancer patients during chemotherapy, and no gold standard for the treatment of CRF has been established.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of the Baduanjin qigong on patients with colorectal cancer and CRF, and to explore its intervention effects.

Methods: This was an open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial. Ninety patients with chemotherapy-treated colorectal cancer and CRF were randomized to a Baduanjin exercise group or a routine care group. The primary outcome was the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) score at 24 weeks. The secondary outcomes were the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores at 24 weeks.

Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in CRF level at baseline and 12 weeks. At 24 weeks, the proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe CRF was significantly smaller in the exercise group than in the control group (23.2 vs. 59.1%, p < 0.01). The KPS and PSQI scores were similar in the two groups at baseline and 12 weeks, but they were significantly higher and lower, respectively, at 24 weeks in the exercise group compared with the control group (KPS score: 89.3 ± 8.3 vs. 75.2 ± 11.5, p < 0.01; PSQI score: 4.1 ± 1.1 vs. 6.9 ± 2.0, p < 0.01). Significant time-group interactions were observed for all three scores (all p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Baduanjin qigong exercise can relieve CRF in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy and can improve their physical activity level and their quality of sleep.

Keywords: Baduanjin qigong; Cancer-related fatigue; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Traditional Chinese medicine.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) Cancer-Related Fatigue. Version 2. 2018 Fort Washington, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2018, pp.
    1. Weis J. Cancer-related fatigue: prevalence, assessment and treatment strategies. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2011 Aug;11((4)):441–6. - PubMed
    1. Wang Y, Shen J, Xu Y. Symptoms and quality of life of advanced cancer patients at home: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun;19((6)):789–97. - PubMed
    1. Bower JE. Cancer-related fatigue—mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct;11((10)):597–609. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Carlson LE, Waller A, Groff SL, Giese-Davis J, Bultz BD. What goes up does not always come down: patterns of distress, physical and psychosocial morbidity in people with cancer over a one year period. Psychooncology. 2013 Jan;22((1)):168–76. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms