Medical Qi Gong and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent fatigue or tiredness not directly caused by exertion, a lack of sleep, or other medical condition. Additional symptoms can include joint and muscle pain, headaches, digestive problems, and cognitive difficulties.

A recent study presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's annual meeting showed Qi Gong can alleviate chronic fatigue symptoms. One hundred and fifty four patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome were treated with four hours of group Qi Gong per week, along with a recommended 15-30 minutes of at-home meditation before bed. They found that Qi Gong:

1. Reduced chronic fatigue symptoms by 39%
2. Showed improved mental component scores

While many participants found the suggested Qi Gong regimen to be very time consuming, those that invested the most time showed a much greater reduction in symptoms.