The Effects of Qigong Therapy on Glucose Management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Guan-Cheng Sun, Ph.D., Jennifer Lovejoy, Ph.D., Sara Gillham, N.D. Candidate, Amy Putiri, M.S.N., and Ryan Bradley, N.D. Bastyr University Research Center Introduction Method Qigong is a traditional Chinese energy medicine practice combining breathing, movement, and meditation. Previous uncontrolled studies suggest that Qigong practice has beneficial effects on some of the metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the potential beneficial effects of Qigong on the management of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this research project was to conduct a randomized, controlled pilot study to examine the effectiveness of Qigong therapy on type 2 diabetes relative to physical exercise or standard of care, and to identify metabolic responses to Qigong therapy. the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) A total of 32 participants were randomly assigned to qigong, or progressive resistance training (PRT), or non-treated control group for a 12 week intervention. Participants in qigong and PRT groups were asked to practice 30 minutes per session, three times a week including a weekly group practice with a certified instructor. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C, insulin, C-peptide, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and BMI were determined before and after the intervention. An estimate of insulin resistance, the HOMA-IR Index score, was calculated based on glucose and insulin values before and after the intervention. Results Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased significantly after Qigong therapy (P=0.003), but increased slightly (NS) in both PRT and control groups as shown in Figure 1.The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score decreased significantly in Qigong therapy (P=0.05), declined in the PRT group (NS), and remained unchanged in the control group during the interventions shown in Figure 2. Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased significantly after Qigong therapy (P=0.003), but increased slightly (NS) in both PRT and control groups as shown in Figure 1. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score decreased significantly in Qigong therapy (P=0.05), declined in the PRT group (NS), and remained unchanged in the control group during the interventions shown in Figure 2. Conclusion Qigong has statistically significant beneficial effects on glycemia and PSS and clinically favorable shift on insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results were less consistent for PRT, which tended to have a beneficial effect on PSS but an adverse effect on fasting glucose and insulin resistance. A larger randomized controlled trial is required to confirm these preliminary results. PN: 3149 Figure 2. PSS Score Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 12 Figure 1. Fasting Glucose level Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 4, Yellow Bar—Week8, Red Bar—Week 12 Figure 4. HOMA-IR Index Score Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 12 Figure 3. BMI Changes: Blue Bar—Week 0, Green Bar—Week 4, Yellow Bar—Week 8, Red Bar—Week 12 The Body Mass Index (BMI) increased significantly (P=0.03) in the non-treated control group, but tended to decrease (NS) in both the PRT and Qigong groups as shown in Figure 3. The HOMA-IR Index score increased in both PRT and control groups, but decreased in the Qigong group shown in Figure 4. Table1. Baseline Characteristics of the Participants This research was supported by grants from NCCAM, The Seattle Foundation and IQ&IAM (p=0.003) * (p=0.03) * * (p=0.05) * <<