Tai Chi or Qigong
Tai chi and qigong are forms of mind-body exercise and meditation that may help with symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatments.
Tai chi or qigong at a glance
With slow, graceful sets of body movements and controlled breathing, tai chi and qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) are practiced to improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength and overall health. The qi (also spelled chi) is “the life energy that flows through the body’s energy pathways.”1Chia K. The difference between tai chi and qigong. Tai Chi Society. October 23, 2011. Viewed May 17, 2021.
Tai chi and qigong both cultivate the qi by combining movement, breathing, and meditation. The forms in qigong are not as intricate as those in tai chi and do not need to be executed as precisely. Qigong forms are freer in movement and can be adapted to your manner of moving. Qigong can be carried out standing, sitting, or lying down. Tai chi involves an advanced and elaborate choreography, and the forms generally take longer to learn and master than in qigong.
Tai chi and/or qigong may improve immune system function and are linked to reduced symptoms of depression, fatigue, lymphedema, pain, sleep difficulty, and stress. These practices are also associated with a better quality of life among people with cancer. No studies to date have investigated using these practices to treat or prevent cancer.
CancerChoices ratings for tai chi or qigong
We rate tai chi or qigong on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest.
See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MoreWe did not find any published studies investigating direct anticancer effects of tai chi or qigong.
Optimizing your body terrain
See More- Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better blood sugar balance among people with or at risk of metabolic syndrome (not specific to people with cancer) practicing tai chi
- Good evidence of better cortisol levels among people with cancer practicing either tai chi or qigong
- Good evidence of slightly higher immune activation among people with cancer and other people practicing tai chi or qigong
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of a small effect on reducing inflammation among people practicing tai chi or qigong, not specific to people with cancer
See How can tai chi or qigong help you? What the research says ›
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
See MoreStrong or good evidence of benefit
- Strong evidenceconsistent, significant effects in several large (or at least one very large) well designed clinical studies or at least two meta-analyses of clinical studies of moderate or better quality (or one large meta-analysis) finding similar results (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less fatigue without regard to treatment phase among people with cancer practicing qigong or tai chi
- Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less cancer-related fatigue after cancer treatment among people practicing tai chi
- Good evidence of better strength and function among people with cancer, mostly breast cancer, practicing tai chi
- Good evidence of better quality of life without regard to treatment phase among people with cancer practicing qigong or tai chi
- Good evidence of better sleep quality during or after cancer treatment among people with cancer practicing tai chi or qigong
- Good evidence of lower markers of stress among people with cancer practicing tai chi or qigong
Modest evidence of benefit
- Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less body fat among people with or at risk of metabolic syndrome practicing tai chi
- Modest evidence of less anxiety among people with breast cancer practicing either tai chi or qigong
- Modest evidence of better appetite among people with cancer practicing qigong
- Modest evidence of better cognitive function among people with cancer practicing medical qigong
- Modest evidence of fewer depressive symptoms or mood disturbance among people with cancer practicing either tai chi or qigong
- Modest evidence of less fatigue during cancer treatment among people with breast cancer practicing tai chi
- Modest evidence of less diarrhea or irregular defecation among people with cancer practicing qigong
- Modest evidence of less neuropathy among people with cancer practicing qigong
- Modest evidence of less pain without regard to treatment phase among people with cancer practicing either tai chi or qigong
- Modest evidence of better quality of life during conventional cancer treatment among people practicing tai chi
- Modest evidence of less sleep disruption without regard to treatment phase among people with cancer practicing tai chi or qigong
Preliminary evidence of benefit
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less fatigue during chemotherapy among people with colorectal cancer practicing Baduanjin qigong
- Preliminary evidence of a smaller decrease in white blood cell counts and hemoglobin from chemotherapy among people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma participating in a Chan-Chuang qigong program
- Preliminary evidence of less blood clotting among people with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) practicing simplified tai chi exercises
- Preliminary evidence of less breathlessness among people with lung cancer practicing qigong
- Preliminary evidence of less lymphedema after surgery among people with breast cancer practicing qigong
- Preliminary evidence of less pain during chemotherapy among people practicing qigong or tai chi
- Preliminary evidence of better functional well-being among people with lung cancer practicing qigong
- Preliminary evidence of less cough among people with lung cancer practicing qigong
No evidence of benefit
- No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on quality of life among people with terminal cancer practicing tai chi or qigong in a combined analysis of studies
See How can tai chi or qigong help you? What the research says ›
Reducing cancer risk
See MoreWe did not find any studies investigating tai chi or qigong and risk of cancer or recurrence.
Use by integrative oncology experts
See More- Recommended weakly in integrative cancer clinical practice guidelines (qigong)
- Used by several of our program sources
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine
Safety
See More- Generally safe, with only a few restrictions for some medical conditions
Affordability and access
See More- Widely available without restriction
- Generally inexpensive (less than $500 US/year)
Keep reading about tai chi or qigong
Author
Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher, program manager, and writer for CancerChoices. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Reviewer
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Last update: June 18, 2023
Last full literature review: May 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
Learn more
References[+]
| 1 | Chia K. The difference between tai chi and qigong. Tai Chi Society. October 23, 2011. Viewed May 17, 2021. |
|---|