Background. Anxiety/depressive symptoms are common in patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome- (CFS-) like illness.
Qigong as a modality of complementary and alternative
therapy has been increasingly applied by patients with
chronic illnesses, but little is known about the effect of
Qigong on anxiety/depressive symptoms of the patients with CFS-like illness. Purpose. To investigate the effects of
Qigong on
fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in patients with CFS-illness. Methods. One hundred and thirty-seven participants who met the diagnostic criteria for CFS-like illness were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group. Participants in the intervention group received 10 sessions of
Qigong training twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks, followed by home-based practice for 12 weeks.
Fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Results. Total
fatigue score [F(1,135) = 13.888, P < 0.001], physical
fatigue score [F(1,135) = 20.852, P < 0.001] and depression score [F(1,135) = 9.918, P = 0.002] were significantly improved and
mental fatigue score [F(1,135) = 3.902, P = 0.050] was marginally significantly improved in the
Qigong group compared to controls. The anxiety score was not significantly improved in the
Qigong group. Conclusion.
Qigong may not only reduce the
fatigue symptoms, but also has antidepressive effect for patients with CFS-like illness. Trial registration HKCTR-1200.