Effect of Qigong on Balance, Fall Efficacy, Wellbeing of People With Stroke in Hong Kong

Effect of Qigong on Balance, Fall Efficacy, Physical Functions and Psychological Wellbeing of People With Stroke in Hong Kong: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of qigong practice with fitness exercise on balance, fall-efficacy, physical functions, psychological wellbeing and quality of life of stroke survivors.

Participants: A total of 58 stroke survivors 3 months after the current stroke will be recruited.

Methodology: An assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Stroke survivors will be included in the study if they meet the inclusion criteria. Selected patients will be randomly allocated into either the experimental group or the control group. Participants allocated in the experimental group will receive qigong training while this qigong training will be replaced by a home fitness exercise in the control group. The experimental and control groups will be required to practice a total of 50 minutes of qigong and fitness training 3 times per week and for 16 weeks respectively. The main outcome measure is balance capacity with Mini-BESTest. The secondary outcomes are fall efficacy, number of falls, postural stability and control, depression, physical functions and quality of life. Assessments will be done at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks follow-ups by blinded assessors.

Data analysis: The results will be analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance with Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0. Alpha will be set at 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of stroke and 3 months after the onset
• First episode of stroke or recurrent of stroke
• Able to stand for more than 15 minutes
• Able to take anterioposterior and lateral step without assistance or aid
• Medically stable
• Sufficient cognition to follow commands Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) score ≥7

Exclusion Criteria:

• Vital signs unstable
• History or evidence of other neurological deficits other than stroke such as multiple sclerosis
• Severe primary diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidney or hematopoietic system
• Experience in qigong practice