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Effects of a 6-month Tai Chi Qigong program on arterial hemodynamics and functional aerobic capacity in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

Survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) often sustain cardiovascular complications after conventional cancer treatments. Tai Chi (TC) Qigong training may be a viable way to improve peripheral circulatory status and aerobic capacity in this population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-month TC Qigong training program on blood flow velocities and resistance, palmar skin temperature, and functional aerobic capacity in survivors of NPC.

Methods

Twenty-five and 27 survivors of NPC volunteered to join the intervention group (mean age, 55.4 ± 7.5 years) and control group (mean age, 58.7 ± 9.5 years), respectively. The intervention group underwent a TC Qigong training program—the modified 18 Forms TC Internal Qigong—for 6 months, while the control group received no training. Peripheral arterial blood flow velocities and resistance, palmar skin temperature, and functional aerobic capacity were measured by a Doppler ultrasound machine, an infrared thermometer, and six-minute walk test, respectively. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (3-month), post-intervention (6-month), and follow-up (12-month) periods.

Results

The TC Qigong group had higher diastolic blood flow velocity (p = 0.010), lower arterial blood flow resistance (p = 0.009), and higher palmar skin temperature (p = 0.004) than the control group after TC Qigong training. However, only the diastolic blood flow velocity was higher in the TC Qigong group than in the control group during the no-training follow-up period (p = 0.032). Additionally, an improvement in functional aerobic capacity was found in the intervention group after TC Qigong training (p < 0.008) but not in the control group over time (p > 0.008).

Conclusions

TC Qigong training may improve peripheral circulatory status and functional aerobic capacity among people treated for NPC. However, this is only a pilot study and future definitive trials are needed to confirm the results.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

TC Qigong may have enormous potential as a rehabilitation intervention for survivors of NPC to improve arterial hemodynamics and functional aerobic capacity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Mutual Aid Association for their assistance in recruiting the participants and the Nature Health Qigong Association for providing Tai Chi Qigong training for the participants. This study was supported by a Seed Fund for Basic Research for New Staff (201308159012) from the University of Hong Kong and an Internal Research Grant (RG57/2012-2013R) from the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship or publication of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

    Shirley S. M. Fong & Rich S. W. Masters

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

    Shamay S. M. Ng

  3. The Association of Licentiates of Medical Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    W. S. Luk

  4. Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China

    Joanne W. Y. Chung

  5. Division of Nursing and Health Studies, Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Joyce C. Y. Leung

  6. Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Rich S. W. Masters

Authors
  1. Shirley S. M. Fong
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  2. Shamay S. M. Ng
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  3. W. S. Luk
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  4. Joanne W. Y. Chung
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  5. Joyce C. Y. Leung
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  6. Rich S. W. Masters
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Correspondence to Shirley S. M. Fong.

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Fong, S.S.M., Ng, S.S.M., Luk, W.S. et al. Effects of a 6-month Tai Chi Qigong program on arterial hemodynamics and functional aerobic capacity in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer. J Cancer Surviv 8, 618–626 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0372-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0372-4

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