Qigong Versus Usual Exercise in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain as an Add-On to a Standardized Physiotherapy Program.
Spyridon Sotiropoulos, Theodora Plavoukou, George Georgoudis
Cureus March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81492 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAdding Qigong to standard physiotherapy for chronic low back pain may reduce pain and disability more than adding strengthening exercises alone. In a four-week trial with 42 participants, both groups improved, but the Qigong group showed greater reductions in pain and disability, as well as improved proprioception. Kinesiophobia decreased similarly in both groups. The authors call for longer-term follow-up and larger trials to clarify whether Qigong offers distinct advantages over conventional exercise programs.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain |
| Interventions | Qigong Strengthening exercises |
| Duration | Four weeks |
| Keywords | Kinesiophobia Physiotherapy Proprioception Qigong Rehabilitation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Qigong combined with physiotherapy led to greater improvements in pain, disability, and proprioception than strengthening exercises combined with physiotherapy, though both groups improved. |
Abstract
Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Exercise-based interventions, particularly strengthening exercises, are widely used in rehabilitation. However, mind-body approaches such as Qigong, which integrate movement, breath control, and mindfulness, may offer additional psychological benefits. Despite evidence supporting Qigong in pain management, its effectiveness as an adjunct to physiotherapy remains unclear. This study compared the effects of Qigong versus strengthening exercises, integrated into a standardized physiotherapy program, on pain perception, disability, kinesiophobia, and proprioception in CNSLBP patients. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 42 participants who were assigned to either a Qigong combined with physiotherapy group, or a strengthening exercise combined with physiotherapy group for a duration of four weeks. Pain (Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, SFMPQ), disability (Greek Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ), kinesiophobia (Greek Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK), and proprioception (sway-length on a baropodometer) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Appropriate statistical analyses were conducted for within- and between-group comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p 12 weeks) and larger trials to determine whether Qigong offers distinct advantages over conventional exercise programs.