Qigong is a Chinese healing practice involving mindful movements and meditation that is over 4,000 years old. Research shows that qigong can increase well-being and reduce compassion fatigue. A review of 40 randomized controlled trials found that tai chi and qigong significantly improved depression, stress, anxiety, mood, psychological well-being, and sleep disturbances. The evidence suggests tai chi and qigong may effectively reduce depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and mood issues. Qigong is also safe, low-cost, and evidence-based.

1. MINDFUL MOVEMENTS OF QIGONG AND
TAI CHI TO INCREASE WELL-BEING AND REDUCE
COMPASSION FATIGUE
American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, May 23, 2017
Colleen Loehr, M.D. colleen.loehr@dmh.mo.gov
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Missouri
Fulton State Hospital

2. WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qi = Energy
Gong = Cultivation
Qi Gong = Energy Cultivation

3. WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qigong is a healing art from China
that is over 4000 years old.
Qigong consists of mindful movements and meditations to
cleanse, harmonize, and
strengthen the flow of life energy.

4. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
“Health benefits are increasingly evidence-
based, with more than 700 peer-reviewed,
scientific publications in print and more
than 180 randomized trials conducted, to
date.”
Peter M. Wayne, Ph.D, The Harvard Medical
School Guide to Tai Chi, 2013.

5. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
Problems with research on qigong:
Small sample size
Use of different styles of qigong
Variance in practice duration and frequency
Differences in study durations
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.,Tai Chi and Qigong for the
Treatment and Prevention of Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Clin North Am.
2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–119.

6. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
“Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment and Prevention
of Mental Disorders”
Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–119.
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.
Review of 40 RCTs of Tai Chi and Qigong
for psychosocial well-being.

7. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
RCTs of Tai Chi and Qigong:
Depression: 13 RCTs with significant positive findings.
1 study did not find an effect on depressive symptoms.
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.,Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment and
Prevention of Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–119.

8. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
RCTs of Tai Chi and Qigong:
Stress Management: 4 RCTs with significant positive findings.
1 study did not find effect on subjective stress measures.
Anxiety: 8 RCTs with significant positive effects.
1 study had negative findings on anxiety.
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.,Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment and
Prevention of Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–119.

9. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
RCTs of Tai Chi and Qigong:
Mood and psychological well-being: 7 RCTs with significant positive
effects. One study did not find positive effect on mood.
Sleep disturbance: 3 RCTs with significant positive effects.
Negative findings: None reported
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.,Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment and Prevention of
Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–119.

10. RESEARCH ON QIGONG
“Tai Chi and Qigong are evidence-based approaches to
improve health-related quality of life. Evidence from
randomized controlled trials suggests that Tai Chi and Qigong
may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, stress,
anxiety, and mood disturbances.”
Ryan Abbott, MD, JD, and Helen Lavretsky, MD.,Tai Chi and Qigong for the Treatment
and Prevention of Mental Disorders, Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2013 Mar; 36(1): 109–
119.
•

11. WHAT CAN WE TELL OUR PATIENTS
ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF QIGONG?
Safe
Low Cost
Evidence-based efficacy

12. True health can only exist as a result of our
feeling of unity with the whole.
Jean Klein