Yoga Medical News Daily

For Anxiety Disorders, Exercise and Yoga Have Shown Positive Effects

This review article delved into the use of complementary and alternative therapies, such as exercise, meditation, tai chi, qigong, and yoga, on anxiety and depression. "Several studies of exercise and yoga have demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness superior to no-activity controls and comparable with established depression and anxiety treatments (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy, sertraline, imipramine). High-energy exercise (i.e., weekly expenditure of at least 17.5 kcal per kg) and frequent aerobic exercise (i.e., at least three to five times per week) reduce symptoms of depression more than less frequent or lower-energy exercise. Mindful meditation and exercise have positive effects as adjunctive treatments for depressive disorders, although some studies show multiple methodological weaknesses." 

"For anxiety disorders, exercise and yoga have also shown positive effects, but there are far less data on the effects of exercise on anxiety than for exercise on depression. Tai chi, qigong, and meditation have not shown effectiveness as alternative treatments for depression and anxiety." Abstract: PubMed. "Exercise, yoga, and meditation for depressive and anxiety disorders," by S.A. Saeed, D.J. Antonacci, R.M. Bloch, American Family Physician [2010 Apr 15;81(8):981-6]

Effectiveness of Tai chi Qigong (TCQ) program on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clients

This study focused on "the effectiveness of a 3-month Tai chi Qigong (TCQ) program in promoting the psychosocial functional health of clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Hong Kong. . . . two hundred and six COPD clients were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, TCQ group, exercise group, and control group. Subjects in the TCQ group received a TCQ program, consisting of two 60-min sessions each week for 3 months. Subjects in the exercise group were taught to practice breathing techniques combined with walking as an exercise. Subjects in the control group received their usual care. Data collections were performed at baseline, on the sixth week and on the third month." 

The TCQ group showed greater improvements in the symptom and activity domains; however, there were no differences detected in perceived social support among the three groups. "Tai chi Qigong promoted health outcomes with respect to clients' perception of their respiratory symptoms. Moreover, TCQ decreased disturbances to their physical activities."  Abstract: PubMed PMID: 20229333. "Effectiveness of a Tai chi Qigong program in promoting health-related quality of life and perceived social support in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clients," by Chan AW, Lee A, Suen LK, Tam WW., Quality of Life Research [2010 Mar 15]

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices Among U.S. Cancer Survivors

The objective of this study was "to identify relationships among gender, physical and psychological symptoms (pain, insomnia, fatigue, and depression), and use of specific complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among survivors in the U.S. cancer population. . . . Methods: NHIS interview data on use of CAM practices (diet, yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, guided imagery, relaxation, and deep breathing) were examined in relationship to gender and symptoms. . . . "

"Conclusions: CAM practices are widely used in the U.S. cancer population, especially among women. Symptom experience influences likelihood of use, with increased odds when men report symptoms. Implications for Nursing: Study findings inform oncology nurses on the benefits of integrating self-care CAM practices in relationship to gender into the symptom management care plan for cancer survivors. Findings reported in this study will help guide future CAM practice intervention studies." Abstract: PubMed. Article appearing in: Oncology Nursing Forum [2010 Jan 1;37(1):E7-E15].

T'ai chi and qigong for health: patterns of use in the United States

Appearing in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine [2009 Sep;15(9):969-73]; by Birdee GS, Wayne PM, Davis RB, Phillips RS, Yeh GY, Osher Research Center, Harvard Medical School, this summary "analyzed associations of t'ai chi and qigong use for health using cross-sectional data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Alternative Medicine Supplement (n = 31,044). The 2002 NHIS estimated the number of t'ai chi and qigong users for health to be 2.5 and 0.5 million persons, respectively."  Half of the t'ai chi and qigong users reported also using "yoga for health in the last 12 months."  Abstract: PubMed.

Yoga and qigong in the psychological prevention of mental health disorders: a conceptual synthesis

This study done at the School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, UK, explored "two alternative medicine therapies - qigong and yoga - for balancing the essential duo of holistic mind-body" to address stress, uncertainty, anxiety and depression. Findings suggested benefits from this approach, described in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine (published online 15 September 2009). Abstract: PubMed.