cOLDS / FLU / IMMUNITY and Tai Chi & qigong

COLDS AND FLU / IMMUNITY.
A 2012 University of Wisconsin, Madison, study found that mindful meditation can cut your chances of catching a cold by 40 to 50%. Fifty-one people using mindfulness techniques logged 13 fewer illnesses and 51 fewer sick days than a control group during one cold and flu season.

A University of Virginia study found that their varsity swim team swimmers got 70% fewer respiratory infections when practicing Qigong at least once a week, compared to swimmers who used it less.
-- Prevention Magazine's Winter/2012 Issue


NIH Published Research:
1. Application of Qigong to the Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Diseases
Wright et al.35 found that in swimmers who practiced Qigong at least once per week, cold and flu symptoms showed a significant nonlinear association with frequency of Qigong practice, with a strong, inverse relationship between practice frequency and symptom scores ...

2. Use of Qigong in Treating Respiratory Infectious Diseases
the duration of each onset [of Respiratory Infections] became shorter in the Tai-Chi group.

3. Application of Qigong to Rehabilitation in Respiratory Infectious Diseases
A study by Li et al.38 indicated that COPD patients’ lung function (FEV1/pred, FEV1/FVC) improved significantly with Liu Zi Jue practice, as did the 6-minute walking test, 30-second sit-to-stand test, and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score. Chen39 observed that in chronic bronchitis patients who practiced Ba Duan Jin, hospital stays decreased, and lung function (FEV1/FVC) and arterial blood gas analysis (PaO2, PaCO2) improved when compared with the control group who received regular treatment.
-- National Institutes of Health
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Tai Chi Boosts Immunity ...
Effects of a Taiji and Qigong Intervention on the Antibody Response to Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults
In one carefully controlled clinically relevant trial, Irwin et al. (2003) found that 15 weeks of a Westernized version of Taiji significantly increase varicella zoster virus specific immunity in men and women over aged 60. Also, it has been found that Qigong trained subjects mounted better responses to delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) recall antigens when compared to controls (Ryu et al., 1995). The latter is clinically relevant because low DTH responses have been found to be related to higher mortality due to sepsis (Christou et al., 1989). Although not Taiji, mindfulness meditation techniques have resulted in improved antibody titers to influenza vaccine in a group of younger subjects ...
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-- The American Journal of Chinese Medicine



STUDIES ON QIGONG AND IMMUNITY -- WESTMOUNTMAG.CA
In a study looking directly at the effect of Qigong on immunity, blood cells were measured pre and post-intervention. Researchers found that “white blood cells increased significantly two hours after actual Qigong training… monocyte numbers were significantly increased after training… natural killer cell numbers decreased… the data indicate that a single Qigong intervention can increase the monocyte and lymphocyte numbers.” ...

In a study published by the American Psychological Association, mind-body studies featuring Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation and yoga were compiled and studied. The authors found that C-reactive protein was reduced in most studies. C-reactive protein measures inflammation and is indicative of disease, a reduction of interleukin-6. Their conclusion was that mind-body therapies reduce markers of inflammation and influence virus-specific immune responses to vaccination.³

In another study on Qigong training on stress hormonal levels, researchers found that the level of beta-endorphin significantly increased, and the level of ACTH declined.4 Researchers concluded that Qigong training plays a role in hormonal regulation.
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-- WESTMOUNTMAG.CA

 


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."