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323779
Comparative study on Yan Xin Qigong practitioners' health benefits and their characteristics with repeated cross-sectional data


Monday, November 2, 2015

Xin Yan, MD, New Medical Science Research Institute, New York, NY
Hua Shen, New Medical Science Research Institute, New York, NY
Yuhong Yang, PhD, School of Statistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Hsiaowen C. Huang, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Jianyuan Wang, PhD, Statistical Consulting & Solutions, LLC, Chestnut Hill, MA
Shuyi Hua, MS, CenturyLink, Superior, CO
Saling Huang, PhD, Abgenix Inc, Fremont, CA
Mengguang Wang, PhD, Powertech Labs Inc., British Columbia, Canada
Peihua Ni, MS, New England Traditional Chinese Medical & Health Culture Study Institute, Avon, CT
Chunling Lu, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Background

Qigong briefly means “Qi at work”, which includes the training of Qi and its function, utility, and effects. Qigong is the foundation and an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as traditional Chinese technologies for promoting and preserving health and wellness. The regulation of Qigong is under official administration by the Chinese government. Yan Xin Qigong (YXQG) is a Traditional Chinese Advanced Qigong and was recommended to the public as a safe and effective Qigong method by Chinese government agencies in 1998. Using repeated cross-sectional data, the objective of this study is to conduct a comparative study about the socio-demographic characteristics of YXQG practitioners and their health benefits.

Methods

 

We use the data obtained from a series of surveys conducted in multiple years among YXQG practitioners in various regions. Survey participants voluntarily provided information on their socio-demographic characteristics, their own assessment of physical and mental health, and work performance. Sample sizes of these surveys range from 50 to 966 individuals. Using quantitative methods, we compare socio-demographic characteristics as well as self-reported health effects and job performance measures among YXQG practitioners in different regions over various years. Variables on YXQG practitioners’ characteristics include age, gender, race, education, residence areas, etc. Variables on physical health include general health status, disease conditions, diet, weight loss, etc. Variables on mental health include general mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, etc. Variables on job performance include energy level, concentration, creativity, etc. Both descriptive and regression methods are used in data analyses. To test the robustness of the results, analyses with both individual and pooled data are conducted.   

Results

Preliminary analysis shows that most practitioners received college degree or above.

Across various surveys, we found a high percentage of YXQG practitioners who self-reported improved physical and mental health, such as chronic pain relief and better sleeping quality, after practicing YXQG.

 

Conclusion

Findings are consistent across various surveys and supported by previous studies about health effects of YXQG at the cellular and molecular levels.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe socio-demographic characteristics of YXQG practitioners in different regions across various years Compare physical and mental health status reported by YXQG practitioners in different regions across various years

Keyword(s): Alternative and Complementary Health, Public Health Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I made substantial contribution to the research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3208.0: Epidemiology in Integrative Complementary and Traditional Health Practices