Qigong (Chi Kung) & Taijiquan (Tai Chi) Research

This page is a growing list of identified research and inquiry into the practices and applications of Qigong 气功 and Taijiquan 太极拳 as they pertain to the efficacy and demonstrable results on human health and wellbeing.

This is intended as a work-in-progress—please check back often for updates. And if you know of verified research you feel should be included here, please—contact us.

Tai Chi & Qigong for the treatment & prevention of mental disorders (2013)

This review finds Tai Chi and Qigong beneficial for mental health disorders, especially as a complement to medication management. Also noted is the potential efficacy in Traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, substance abuse, and cognitive impairment. As with many reviews, it is indicated that a stronger design study and data analysis needs to be implemented with continued studies of the impact of Tai Chi and Qigong for mental health and other cognitive and neurological dysfunction.

Abbott, R., & Lavretsky, H. (2013). Tai Chi and Qigong for the treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 36(1), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2013.01.011

Community Qigong for people with multiple sclerosis: A pragmatic feasibility study (2021)

Being that Qigong has been shown to improve balance and gait in several neurological conditions, this study followed participants, previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and deemed high functioning, in a 10 week community Qigong class. The authors assessed outcomes of balance, gait, and quality of life on the participants. Of those that attended completed the study, they required no or minor modifications to the qigong movements. Results showed trends toward improved mental health, quality of life, and reduced fatigue and depression. Several participants spontaneously reported improved energy, flexibility, sleep, and mobility. The study concluded that to improve retention and capture further information on the potential effects of qigong on physical function and quality of life, future studies might consider pragmatic trials with tiered level classes, simpler forms of qigong, and/or refined inclusion criteria.

Buttolph, L., Corn, J., Hanes, D., Bradley, R., & Senders, A. (2021). Community Qigong for people with multiple sclerosis: A pragmatic feasibility study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(6), 506–514. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0481

Impact of Qigong Exercise on Self-Efficacy and Other Cognitive Perceptual Variables in Patients with Essential Hypertension (2008)

This pilot study investigated the impact of practicing qigong on middle-age subjects with essential hypertension over the course of 8 consecutive weeks. At teh end of 8 weeks of exercise, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced in members of the qigong group. Significant improvements in self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual efficacy variables were also documented in the qigong group compared to the control.

Myung-Suk Lee, Hyun-Ja Lim, and Myeong Soo Lee. (2004) Impact of Qigong Exercise on Self-Efficacy and Other Cognitive Perceptual Variables in Patients with Essential Hypertension. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2004.10.675

The effect of Baduanjin Qigong combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on physical fitness and psychological health of elderly housebound (2018)

This well designed study found that Baduanjin Qigong is positively impactful on the physical and mental health of housebound seniors. Furthermore, when coupled with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), patients reported improvement in loneliness, depression, and self-assessment of health. Study results indicate changes that can improve the underlying reasons for choosing to remain at home. Seniors who fear injury from falling/tripping and poor balance can significantly improve balance, stability of gait, and back strength. The ability to be safer in travels outside the home reduce the housebound status while the CBT inclusion helps with mindfulness and emotional status.

Jing, L., Jin, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, F., Song, Y., & Xing, F. (2018). The effect of Baduanjin Qigong combined with CBT on physical fitness and psychological health of elderly housebound. Medicine, 97(51). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000013654

Clinical evidence of Tai Chi Exercise Prescriptions: A systematic review (2021)

This is a systemic review of existing studies of Tai Chi and its impact when given as a prescription for varying purposes. Research papers were assessed for biases, blinding, and other data issues. Styles of Tai Chi applied were Yang, Sun, Chen, and Wu, as well as non-specified forms. Studies ranged from 4–48-week sample sizes, with practices varying from 1-7 times per week, and 30–120-minute sessions. Differences in balance, quality of sleep, and quality of life were measured. Ten different diseases and ICD-10 codes were assessed through the different studies. All studies found efficacy for impacting the subjects. Specific Tai Chi forms seemed to have a bigger impact but that would be skewed by the heavier application of some forms over others in studies. Some diagnoses could benefit from variance in practice recommendations, but all papers indicated safety, feasibility, and or efficacy in use as a prescription for different medical conditions.

Huang, J., Wang, D., & Wang, J. (2021). Clinical evidence of Tai Chi Exercise Prescriptions: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5558805 

Benefits of Qigong as an integrative and complementary practice for Health: A Systematic Review (2020)

This review utilized 28 studies to assess the use of Qigong as a complementary health practice in adults and elderly participants. Studies included in review were both RCT (random controlled trial) and non-random participation. While each study found benefits in the use of Qigong, it was noted that most studies focused on the general benefits of Qigong for prevention and health maintenance. A significant number of studies available for review focus on the relationship of Qigong efficacy and specific established diseases. This systematic review established a strong place in utilizing Qigong as a complementary healthcare regimen. Other concerns were that modifications or prescriptions of Tai Chi did not include the whole set or focused on elements that would have been more like Qigong than the actual Tai Chi forms. Overall, the review indicates the need to refine studies as it is discernible that both Qigong and Tai Chi have significant beneficial impacts and any deficits that might be shown in Qigong instead of Tai Chi are false due to the fact the Tai Chi in studies is more Qigong like in practice.

Fo Toneti, B. F., Barbosa, R. F., Mano, L. Y., Sawada, L. O., Oliveira, I. G., & Sawada, N. O. (2020). Benefits of Qigong as an integrative and complementary practice for Health: A Systematic Review. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 28. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3718.3317

Network meta-analysis of the efficacy of four traditional Chinese physical exercise therapies on the prevention of falls in the elderly (2023)

This review utilized 28 studies to assess the use of Qigong as a complementary health practice in adults and elderly participants. Studies included in review were both RCT (random controlled trial) and non-random participation. While each study found benefits in the use of Qigong, it was noted that most studies focused on the general benefits of Qigong for prevention and health maintenance. A significant number of studies available for review focus on the relationship of Qigong efficacy and specific established diseases. This systematic review established a strong place in utilizing Qigong as a complementary healthcare regimen. Other concerns were that modifications or prescriptions of Tai Chi did not include the whole set or focused on elements that would have been more like Qigong than the actual Tai Chi forms. Overall, the review indicates the need to refine studies as it is discernible that both Qigong and Tai Chi have significant beneficial impacts and any deficits that might be shown in Qigong instead of Tai Chi are false due to the fact the Tai Chi in studies is more Qigong like in practice.

Cheng, M., Wang, Y., Wang, S., Cao, W., & Wang, X. (2023). Network meta-analysis of the efficacy of four traditional Chinese physical exercise therapies on the prevention of falls in the elderly. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1096599 

A comprehensive review of health benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi (2010)

A comprehensive review looking at the psychological and physiological outcomes of Tai Chi and Qigong based on their similarities in theories, expected benefits, and mechanisms of action. Only random control trials were considered for review. The study questions were meant to address the benefits of both or either exercise type and whether they can be assumed equivalent. It was found that significant outcomes were found for mental health, fall/balance issues, cardiopulmonary fitness, quality of life, patient reported outcomes, and physical function. Any studies that were unable to be conclusive or with poor results was noted as suffering from design flaws such as inclusion of co-morbid diseases, studies designed more for differences between modalities vs. effectiveness outcomes, or too many other modalities included in the study to create conclusive numbers.

Jahnke, R., Larkey, L., Rogers, C., Etnier, J., & Lin, F. (2010). A comprehensive review of health benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. American Journal of Health Promotion, 24(6). https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.081013-LIT-248

Late-life physical activity relates to brain tissue synaptic integrity markers in older adults (2022)

This study, acknowledging that Physical activity is widely recommended for age-related brain health, sought to gain insight into the neurobiology of why by analyzing 404 decedents from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Brain tissue was analyzed for presynaptic proteins and neuropathology. What they found was a direct correlation to brain health (synaptic integrity) and engagement in physical activity in later life. This supports the subjective experience of elderly practitioners of Qigong who report improved physical and mental functioning, with quantifiable objective research.

Kaitlin Casaletto PhD, Alfredo Ramos-Miguel PhD, Anna VandeBunte BA, Molly Memel PhD, Aron Buchman MD, David Bennett MD, William Honer MD (2022) Late-life physical activity relates to brain tissue synaptic integrity markers in older adults. The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, Vol. 18, No. 11. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12530

Regular Tai Chi Practice Is Associated With Improved Memory as Well as Structural and Functional Alterations of the Hippocampus in the Elderly (2020)

This cross-sectional study compared the effects of Tai Chi (a motor-cognitive exercise) with walking (an exercise without cognitive demands) on cognitive performance, brain structure, and brain function in the elderly. All the participants underwent a cognitive assessment and brain structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging assessments. What they found was a significant improvement in those who practiced Tai Chi, with their memory much improved and increased gray matter density in the brain.

Chunlin Yue, Qian Yu, Yanjie Zhang, Fabian Herold, Jian Mei, Zhaowei Kong, Stephane Perrey, Jiao Liu, Notger G Müller, Zonghao Zhang, Yuliu Tao, Arthur Kramer, Benjamin Becker, Liye Zou (2020) Regular Tai Chi Practice Is Associated With Improved Memory as Well as Structural and Functional Alterations of the Hippocampus in the Elderly. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Oct 29. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.586770

Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study (2020)

Multiple studies have shown that Qigong exercise training elicits beneficial effects. Examples of the results from some of the studies are increased physical performance in women, improved trunk strength and movement abilities in the elderly, and enhanced balance and fitness as well as somatosensation in diabetes mellitus patients, to name a few. As a large number of studies tend to focus on people of an elderly demographic, this study sought to focus on young women who were predominantly sedentary. The main findings demonstrated improved back and leg strength and activation antioxidant protection and oxidative repair response, which is consistent with other studies.

Kultida Klarod, Sanita Singsanan, Niramon Thamwiriyasati, Suphannika Ladawan, Nongnuch Luangpon, Patcharee Boonsiri, Martin Burtscher (2020) Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2040620.310