Complementary and Alternative Exercises for Management of Osteoarthritis

Table 2

Effects of Qigong exercise on management of osteoarthritis reported in randomized controlled trials.

First author (year) [ref.]	Subjects	Exercise intervention	Control intervention	Results
Chen (2008) [42]	Older persons (≥50 yr) with knee OA in US, 𝑁=112 with 5% attrition in qigong, 5% attrition in placebo-sham control.	External qigong therapy by two healers (5-6 sessions in 3 weeks), 𝑁=45 (63.9 ± 9.7 yr for healer 1) and 𝑁=12 (58.8 ± 7.0 yr for healer 2).	Placebo-sham by two healers; (mimicked external qigong therapy, 5-6 sessions in 3 weeks), 𝑁=52 (62.9 ± 9.2 yr).	Compared to the placebo-sham group (1 and 3 months postintervention followup), external qigong group; (i) decreased pain (WOMAC) in healer 1 and healer 2,; (ii) improved functionality (WOMAC) and total WOMAC in healer 2,; (iii) showed no difference in range of motion,; (iv) showed no difference in psychological outcomes including anxiety level (Spielberger state trait anxiety scale) and depression scales (Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale).
An (2008) [43]	Older persons with knee OA in China, 𝑁=28 with 21% attrition in Baduanjin and 28% attrition in control.	Baduanjin (30 min/session × 5 sessions/week × 8 weeks), 𝑁=14 (65.4 ± 8.2 yr).	No treatment, 𝑁=14 (64.6 ± 6.7 yr).	Compared to the control group, Baduanjin group; (i) reduced pain and stiffness (WOMAC),; (ii) improved physical function (WOMAC),; (iii) improved aerobic capacity (6-minute walk test) and Peak Torque of quadriceps (isokinetic strength of the knee extensors),; (iv) showed no difference in general health, social function, and mental health subscales (SF-36).
Lee (2009) [44]	Older person with knee OA in Korea, 𝑁=44 with 3% attrition in TC qiqong and 13% in control.	TC qigong (60 min/session × 2 sessions/week × 8 weeks), 𝑁=28 (70.2 ± 4.8 yr).	Waiting list control, 𝑁=13 (66.9 ± 6.0 yr).	Compared to the control group, TC qigong group; (i) improved physical function by 6-min walking test,; (ii) improved quality of life (SF-36).

TC: Tai Chi; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.