Qigong for Mental Health: Mixed Findings

Qigong is an ancient energy healing method

Qigong is an ancient energy healing method used in Chinese medicine that has its origins before written language. It may be one of the oldest healing practices known to mankind. Most published studies are in Chinese language journals and have examined the effectiveness of regular qigong practice on general indicators of physical or emotional health. Individuals can engage in a regular qigong practice or receive “emission qigong” treatments for a particular medical or psychological problem from a skilled qigong master.

Preliminary findings suggest beneficial effects on anxiety and mood

Findings of open trials on qigong as a treatment of “neuroticism” suggest that anxiety, depressed mood, and quality of sleep were significantly better in subjects who had practiced qigong consistently for at least 5 years than in those who had never practiced qigong. An open study reported that depressed individuals who practiced qigong consistently for at least 2 years experienced improved mood and general improvement in their baseline emotional state. In a 2-month open pilot study (39 subjects), patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, or bipolar disorder based on criteria of the text revision of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) received qi “emission” treatments administered by qigong masters. Half of subjects engaged in the regular daily practice of qigong. By the end of the study, standardized ratings of depressed mood had improved for all subjects, and there were no significant differences in response between individuals who practiced qigong while receiving qi “emission” therapy and subjects who received qi “emission” therapy only.

Mixed research findings call for large sham-controlled studies

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on qigong “exercise” for stress and anxiety in adults identified seven sham-controlled randomized trials that met the inclusion criteria. Four trials reported positive findings of qigong for generalized anxiety and three studies reported beneficial effects on stress. The significance of findings was limited by methodological flaws and small study size. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies on qigong for anxiety, depressed and psychological well-being found no conclusive evidence for qigong as a treatment of a specific mental health condition. However, the authors stated that findings support that regular qigong practice may have positive effects on general psychological well-being in patients with chronic illnesses. Large studies that include a sham qigong arm are needed to confirm beneficial psychological effects of qigong and rule out significant placebo effects.

Serious safety problems with unskillful or erroneous qigong

The unskillful, erroneous (i.e. self-administered qigong done by an individual with inadequate or improper training) or excessive practice of qigong can result in serious psychological or psychosomatic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms that have been reported following erroneous qigong are described as a culture-bound syndrome, “qigong psychotic reaction,” in the DSM. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or severe personality disorders should be cautioned to practice qigong moderately and only under the guidance of a skilled qigong instructor.

More information about qigong, acupuncture and other energetic healing techniques used in mental health care can be found in my series of 10 ebooks 'The Integrative Mental Health Solution" by James Lake MD.