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Qigong for type 2 diabetes care: a systematic review
Myeong Soo Lee1, Kevin W Chen, Tae-Young Choi
1Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, South Korea. mslee@kiom.re.kr
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
|July 28, 2009
Summary
Current evidence on qigong for type 2 diabetes is limited and of poor quality. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to determine if qigong is an effective treatment for managing type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Integrative and Complementary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Trial Analysis
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is a growing global health concern requiring effective management strategies.
- Qigong, a mind-body exercise, is explored for its potential therapeutic benefits in chronic diseases.
- Evaluating the existing clinical evidence for qigong in type 2 diabetes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and critically appraise clinical trials assessing qigong's efficacy in type 2 diabetes patients.
- To summarize findings regarding qigong's impact on glycemic control and related metabolic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across 15 databases up to March 2009, with no language restrictions.
- Inclusion of nine studies: three randomized clinical trials (RCTs), one controlled clinical trial (CCT), and five uncontrolled observational studies (UOSs).
- Risk of bias assessment conducted using established Cochrane criteria.
Main Results:
- Three low-quality RCTs suggested potential benefits of qigong on HbA1c, 2h plasma glucose, insulin sensitivity, and blood viscosity.
- One CCT found no significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose, 2h plasma glucose, HbA1c, or insulin sensitivity.
- All five UOSs reported positive effects of qigong on fasting or 2h plasma glucose.
Conclusions:
- The current body of evidence for qigong in type 2 diabetes is based on few, methodologically weak trials.
- Insufficient evidence exists to support qigong as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.
- High-quality, rigorously designed clinical trials are necessary to definitively ascertain qigong's role in managing type 2 diabetes.
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