breast cancer and Tai Chi & qigong

 

BREAST CANCER THERAPY (QIGONG - CHI KUNG).

NIH (National Institutes of Health)
Effect of Tai Chi Chuan in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Results: Fifteen articles involving a total of 885 breast cancer participants were included in this review. Compared with non-exercised therapy, TCC had a significant effect on quality of life in breast cancer patients
Click for NIH study



Research on tai chi in women with breast cancer
In a few small studies, tai chi was shown to improve heart and lung function, strength, flexibility, self-esteem, and quality of life in women who had had breast cancer.
A 2004 study at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, NY


Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas found that practicing qi gong was linked with decreased depression and increased quality of life in women who were undergoing radiotherapy for their breast cancer.

The findings are important because past research has shown an association between depression and worse outcomes for cancer patients.
The new study, published in the journal Cancer, included 96 Chinese women who had stage 1, 2 or 3 breast cancer and were going to the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center in China. ...

Researchers found that women who did qi gong experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms by the end of the study, while women who were in the control group didn't experience any decrease in symptoms. They also noted that the women who had the highest scores on the depression scale were the ones who experienced the greatest benefit -- both in decreased depressive symptoms and improved quality of life -- from qi gong.
-- Huffington Post, January 28, 2013



BREAST CANCER THERAPY (TAI CHI).
CANBERRA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The traditional Chinese exercise of Tai Chi helps women who develop persistent arm swelling after breast cancer surgery, an Australian researcher has found.
An Australian Associated Press report on Friday quoted Neil Piller of the Flinders Medical Center in Adelaide, South Australia, as saying that up to 30 percent of breast cancer patients develop a condition known as lymphoedema after a mastectomy or partial breast removal.



Breast cancer. Tai chi has shown potential for improving quality of life and functional capacity (the physical ability to carry out normal daily activities, such as work or exercise) in women suffering from breast cancer or the side effects of breast cancer treatment. For example, a 2008 study at the University of Rochester, published in Medicine and Sport Science, found that quality of life and functional capacity (including aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility) improved in women with breast cancer who did 12 weeks of tai chi, while declining in a control group that received only supportive therapy.
Harvard Medical School's Health Publications, May, 2009



Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) may be a useful form of aerobic exercise capable of improving inflammatory profiles and cardiovascular function (CF) among breast cancer survivors.
University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY. Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
CONCLUSION: These data suggest that TCC may improve inflammatory profiles and that these changes may be associated with changes in CF. More definitive phase III randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these results. Funded by NCI grant 1R25CA102618 and Sally Schindel Cone Fund




The Tai Chi group demonstrated significant improvements in Quality of Life, while the Psychosocial Support group reported declines in Quality of Life. Additionally, the Tai Chi group exhibited improvements in self-esteem, while the Psychosocial Support group reported declines in self-esteem.
-- Support Care Cancer, 12, 871-6



This study examined the effects of qi-gong therapy on complete blood counts in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. The experimental group received a 21-day qi-gong therapy. Significant differences in white blood cells, platelets and hemoglobin over the 3-week therapy suggested that qi-gong therapy may decrease leukopenia in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
-- Cancer Nursing, 29, 149-55



Tai Chi Chuan, health-related quality of life and self-esteem: a randomized trial with breast cancer survivors. Mustian KM, Katula JA, Gill DL, Roscoe JA, Lang D, Murphy K.Behavioral Medicine Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Karen_Mustian@urmc.rochester.edu

GOALS: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) and self-esteem are often diminished among women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may be an effective therapy for improving HRQL and self-esteem among these women. We sought to compare the efficacy of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) and psychosocial support (PST) for improving HRQL and self-esteem among breast cancer survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 21 women diagnosed with breast cancer, who had completed treatment within the last 30 months were randomized to receive 12 weeks of TCC or PST. Participants in both groups met three times a week for 60 minutes. HRQL and self-esteem were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The TCC group demonstrated significant improvements in HRQL, while the PST group reported declines in HRQL, with the differences between the two groups approaching significance at week 12. Additionally, the TCC group exhibited improvements in self-esteem, while the PST group reported declines in self-esteem, with the differences between groups reaching statistical significance at week 12. These findings, coupled with a visual inspection of the raw change scores, support the plausibility of a dose-response relationship concerning Tai Chi.
CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot investigation, the TCC group exhibited improvements in HRQL and self-esteem from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks, while the support group exhibited declines.

 

 


FIND MUCH MORE RESEARCH AT THE "QIGONG INSTITUTE DATABASE"
Since 1984, collecting breaking medical/science research on Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Mind-Body Education
Click here  for Qigong Institute Database...




* NOTE: World Tai Chi & Qigong Day advises consulting your physician before beginning any new exercise, herbal, diet, or health program. The research listed here is meant to stimulate a discussion between you and your physician, health insurance carrier, etc., not as medical advise. Research and comments provided here are hoped to stimulate a more robust discussion of powerful natural mind/body health tools. Popular media, health media, and government must increase attention to stunning emerging research, including the UCLA study indicating Tai Chi participants enjoyed a 50% increase in immune system resistance to viral infection.




 

 

To learn more about tai chi & qigong medical research, see the below book,
"the complete idiot's guide to tai chi & qigong,", and also
"Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi," and
"The way of qigong: the art and science of chinese energy healing."






 

Click to purchase this acclaimed best-selling Tai Chi book, with nearly 150 web-video support videos for the detailed text/illustration instruction as a "gift of health" for loved ones.

A new paradigm in multi-media educational books.

 

"Visionary! If you only buy one book on T'ai Chi, then this is the book. This book is all you ever needed to know to change your life. I have taught T'ai Chi for several decades myself, yet I have now read Bill's book from cover to cover seven times, and still get something new from it each time."
Dr. Michael Steward Sr., D.MA, Ph.D., MA, Senior Coach for Team USA, Inductee of the World Sports Medicine and World Martial Arts Hall of Fame

"Sometimes Chinese culture can be difficult to explain. Sifu Bill Douglas successfully uses American culture to explain the art of T'ai Chi Chuan. He simplifies difficult concepts, making them easier to understand. This book takes the best parts of T'ai Chi and makes them understandable [to Westerners] without requiring a grounding in Chinese culture and history."
– Sifu Yijiao Hong, USA All-Tai Chi Grand Champion and USA Team member; Certified International Coach and Judge, International Wushu Federation

"Douglas has achieved for QiGong what Apple did for the computer. He's brought it to the people … great place to start for beginners. … Teachers may also find this an excellent manual 'on how to explain these concepts to the general public…'"
– R. Poccia, stress management instructor, Beyond Anonymous, San Francisco


 NEW BOOK FROM AUTHOR ...
"The Tao of Tai Chi: The Making of a New Science" (now available in both English and Spanish))
Tao of Tai Chi: The Making of a New Science

 


 

Harvard's Dr. Peter Wayne discusses Tai Chi, Qigong and Bio-Energy with Neuro-biologist, Dr. Richard Hammerschlag,
with WORLD TAI CHI & QIGONG DAY ONLINE SUMMIT HOSTS

 

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day's series of Official ONLINE SUMMITS, have brought some of the top minds in Tai Chi, Qigong, and cutting edge scientists researching Mind-Body practices. World Tai Chi & Qigong Day's global health education work was recognized on page 25 of "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi" ...

A reflection of how successful the invasion has been is World Tai Chi Day, organized by Bill Douglas. One of the purposes of this day is ‘to bring together people across racial, economic, religious, and geo-political boundaries, to join together for the purpose of health and healing, providing an example to the world.' Millions of people around the world – 65 nations participated in 2011 – gather one day each year to celebrate the health and healing benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong.
— The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi (page 25)


Harvard Medical School Researchers Launch 'Tai Chi as Therapy' Lecture to Commemorate World Tai Chi Day

 

The new Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi is a powerful reference book for all tai chi and qigong advocates, teachers, etc. The Harvard Guide cites WorldTaiChiDay.org's work in expanding global awareness of tai chi and qigong!

Our efforts have exposed over ONE BILLION potential viewers/readers of mass media to Tai Chi and Qigong and its myriad health benefits, via our annual WTCQD worldwide events.