Three-month Chan-Chung Qigong Improves Physical Function Performance and Quality of Life

Three-month Chan-Chung Qigong Program in Improving Physical Functional Performance and Quality of Life in Cognitive Impairment Patients

The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the three-month Chan-Chung qigong program in improving physical functional performance and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairments.A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Subjects were recruited from cognitive impairments outpatients these subjects,41were assigned to the control group and 41 to the experimental group in which Chan-Chuang qigong was administered.

This study randomized controlled trial with four repeated measurements was conducted between Apply 2016 and October 2017. Participants in the Qigong group were given a structured program about Chan-Chung qigong for 3 months; those in the control group received usual care for cognitive impairment during the same study period. The intervention effects were measured by muscular strength, muscular endurance, and 6-min walk distance at baseline, Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3. In addition, QoL was measured at baseline and Month 3.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants invited in this study were aged more than 60 years, diagnosed with the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) ≦1, able to communicate, free to stand and walk, and willing to participate this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The exclusion criteria were as followings: use of hormone drugs, brain trauma, head surgery, vitamin B12 deficiency, decreased memory and judgment due to hypothyroidism or malnutrition with medical contraindications for exercise, and practicing qigong or exercise regularly.