Campo, R.A., Agarwal, N., Lastayo, P.C., O'Connor, K., Pappas, L., Boucher, K.M., . . . Kinney, A.Y. (2013). Levels of fatigue and distress in senior prostate cancer survivors enrolled in a 12-week randomized controlled trial of Qigong. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Research and Practice, 8, 60-69.

To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a Qigong intervention for improving older prostate cancer survivors’ levels of fatigue and distress

Qigong intervention twice weekly sessions for 12 weeks led by Qigong master for one hour with DVD provided for home practice. Qigong incorporated standing and sitting exercise, with increased standing exercise with each session. Exercises included five minutes of meditative breath at the beginning and end of each session, opening of the nine gates, muscle change, cavity presses, collecting energy of heaven and earth, rocking chair, Tai Chi ruler, hands skimming the water, pushing and pulling space, cloud hands, body weight resistance

Stretching intervention led by instructors from the exercise and sport science department twice weekly for one hour for 12 weeks. Avoided movement similar to meditation; used sitting and standing that increased intensity with each session. A DVD also was provided for home practice.

• N = 29    
• MEAN AGE = 72 years
• MALES: 100
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Prostate cancer, five-year median diagnosis, 48% on ADT
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: No significant difference was noted between those who completed and those who withdrew from intervention.

• SITE: Single site  
• SETTING TYPE: Multiple settings  
• LOCATION: Survivorship and wellness center as well as and home practice

• PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
• APPLICATIONS: Elder care 

• Non-blinded RCT, active control

• FACIT–Fatigue
• Brief Symptom Inventory
• Borg scale
• Self-report
• Class attendance and retention

Baseline fatigue between groups was not statistically different. Change in fatigue from baseline was statistically improved in the Qigong group compared to the stretch group (p = .02). Home practice reports were not significantly different. Sixty-nine percent in the Qigong arm had a minimally important difference of 3 or more points compared to 38% in stretching. BSI score between groups was significantly different for somatization (p = .048), anxiety (p = .003), and global severity index (p = .002).

Fatigue and distress were improved in the Qigong group compared to stretching. High attrition was noted in both groups.

• Small sample (< 30)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Findings not generalizable
• Subject withdrawals ≥ 10%

Qigong as an intervention is a low-risk option for treating fatigue in patients with prostate cancer. Larger RCTs are needed.