NCT04585659

Qigong for Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: National University of Natural Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This feasibility study explores a community-based qigong intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary aim is to assess the feasibility of weekly community qigong classes for people with MS. The secondary aim is to explore the effects of qigong on balance, gait, mood, fatigue, and quality of life.

Detailed description

Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, has been shown to improve balance and gait in several neurological conditions; however, community-delivered qigong has never been assessed for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We assessed the feasibility of community qigong classes for people with MS and explored outcomes of balance, gait, and quality of life (QOL). Twenty adults with MS were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of community qigong classes or wait-list control. Feasibility criteria included recruitment, retention, adherence, and ability to participate in qigong movements. Secondary outcome measures included physical tests of mobility, gait and balance, and participant-reported mobility, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and QOL. Because this is a small feasibility study, the data collected are meant to be hypothesis-generating. Any clinically meaningful trends toward improvement will justify further exploration of qigong for MS in a larger clinical trial.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Qigong	Mind-body movement art that includes specific movements, breath exercises, stretching and meditation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-02-01
• Primary completion: 2018-03-16
• Completion: 2018-03-16
• First posted: 2020-10-14
• Last updated: 2020-10-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States