The Application of One-Hour Static Qigong Program to Decrease Needle Pain of Korean Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes:...

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Adolescents with type 1 diabetes experience significant needle pain during blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration.
• Effective pain management strategies are crucial for adherence to diabetes self-care routines in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application and pilot test results of a static Qigong program designed to reduce needle pain in Korean adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
• To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Qigong for managing pain in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover pilot study involving 26 adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
• Participants were assigned to either a Qigong or rest group, switching after a 24-hour washout period.
• A 60-minute static Qigong program including warm-up, deep breathing, and imagery was administered. Pain was assessed using the Faces Pain Scale and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction was observed in expected pain specifically related to insulin injections following the Qigong intervention (P = .025).
• No significant differences were found for perceived pain or affect scores.
• The static Qigong program demonstrated feasibility for this population.

Conclusions:

• The static Qigong program is a feasible intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
• Qigong may help decrease the expected pain associated with insulin injections, potentially improving treatment adherence.
• Further research is warranted to explore its effects on perceived pain and broader psychological well-being.