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Randomised controlled trial of qigong in the treatment of mild essential hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 19, pages 697–704 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Exercise and relaxation decrease blood pressure. Qigong is a traditional Chinese exercise consisting of breathing and gentle movements. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to study the effect of Guolin qigong on blood pressure. In all, 88 patients with mild essential hypertension were recruited from the community and randomised to Goulin qigong or conventional exercise for 16 weeks. The main outcome measurements were blood pressure, health status (SF-36 scores), Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory scores. In the qigong group, blood pressure decreased significantly from 146.3±7.8/93.0±4.1 mmHg at baseline to 135.5±10.0/87.1±7.7 mmHg at week 16. In the exercise group, blood pressure also decreased significantly from 140.9±10.9/93.1±3.5 mmHg to 129.7±11.1/86.0±7.0 mmHg. Heart rate, weight, BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, renin and 24 h urinary albumin excretion significantly decreased in both groups after 16 weeks. General health, bodily pain, social functioning and depression also improved in both groups. No significant differences between qigong and conventional exercise were found. In conclusion, Guolin qigong and conventional exercise have similar effects on blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. While no additional benefits were identified, it is nevertheless an alternative to conventional exercise in the nondrug treatment of hypertension.

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Acknowledgements

The generous support from the Li Ka Shing Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. JCM Li was the Clinical Data Manager for the study. Ms SK Chan was the qigong instructor. Echocardiography was performed by Dr Q Wang. Numerous colleagues in the Clinical Trial Centre and Queen Mary Hospital have contributed to the study; their help is invaluable and is greatly appreciated. Permission to use the Chinese (HK) version of SF-36, and the Chinese version of the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory is gratefully acknowledged. ‘Beck Depression Inventory’, ‘BDI’, ‘Beck Anxiety Inventory’, and ‘BAI’ are registered trademarks of The Psychological Corporation, a Harcourt Assessment Company. All rights are reserved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    B M Y Cheung, K S L Lam & C P Lau

  2. Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    B M Y Cheung, K S L Lam & C P Lau

  3. Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    J L F Lo

  4. Department of Nursing Studies, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    D Y T Fong

  5. Department of Physiotherapy, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    M Y Chan & S H T Wong

  6. Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, China

    V C W Wong

  7. Clinical Trials Centre, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    J P E Karlberg

Authors
  1. B M Y Cheung
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  2. J L F Lo
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  3. D Y T Fong
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  4. M Y Chan
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  7. K S L Lam
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  8. C P Lau
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  9. J P E Karlberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B M Y Cheung.

Additional information

Conflict of interest: none. The study was funded by a charitable donation for research from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. The Foundation is not involved in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of the study.

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Cheung, B., Lo, J., Fong, D. et al. Randomised controlled trial of qigong in the treatment of mild essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 19, 697–704 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001884

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001884

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