Effects of Taichi-Qigong Exercise On Qol of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors

Abstract

The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic areas is high. The long-term chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause bodily dysfunction and low quality of life (QoL) in NPC survivors. Complementary therapy especially mind-body exercise such as Taichi-Qigong becomes an option for NPC survivors to improve the QoL. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 10 weeks Taichi-Qigong training and health education lectures on QoL of NPC survivors. METHODS: Thirty eligible participants were recruited and randomly assigned into either intervention or control group. 14 of NPC survivors (n=7 for intervention group; n=7 for control group completed pre-post assessment of QoL satisfactory. The intervention group practiced the active, low-intensity 18-form internal Taichi-Qigong exercise for at least 3 times a week for 10 weeks plus three health education seminars during the 10-weeks intervention period. The control group engaged in the health education seminars only over the 10-weeks period. QoL was assessed by Functional assessment of cancer therapy - General (FACT-G) which included four subscales: physical well-being (PWB), social well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB) and functional well-being (FWB). RESULTS: Significant differences were found on subscales of EWB (p=0.011), and the effects of Taichi-Qigong on SWB is marginally significant (p=0.056). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide preliminary data to support that Taichi-Qigong exercise, as a complementary therapy, may contribute to positive effects for NPC survivors in terms of improved QoL outcomes.