Larkey, L.K., Roe, D.J., Weihs, K.L., Jahnke, R., Lopez, A.M., Rogers, C.E., . . . Guillen-Rodriguez, J. (2014). Randomized controlled trial of qigong/tai chi easy on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Advance online publication. 

To compare a meditative movement practice, Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE), with sham Qigong (SQG), testing the effects of the meditation/breath aspects of QG/TCE on breast cancer survivors’ persistent fatigue and other symptoms

Hour-long sessions held twice weekly taught breast cancer survivors QE/TCE or SQG for 12 weeks measuring the effect on fatigue, depression, and sleep. Participants were asked to practice at home at least 30 minutes per day.

• N = 87  
• AGE RANGE = 40–75 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast cancer
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Stages 0–III; the majority of participants were educated at the level of at least some college and were at higher income levels. 90% were white and non-Latino.

• SITE: Single-site    
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Scottsdale, AZ

• PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship

This was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Fatigue was the primary outcome and sleep quality and depression were secondary outcomes.

• Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI)
• The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Fatigue decreased in the QG/TCE group compared to the SQG group at postintervention and at the three-month follow-up (p = .024). However, fatigue declined significantly in both groups. Depression and sleep quality did not demonstrate improvement in the QG/TCE group compared to the SQG group at the post-intervention and at the three-month follow-up.

QG/TCE showed significant improvement over time compared to SQG for fatigue. Both groups showed improvement for fatigue, depression, and sleep dysfunction

• Small sample (< 100)
• Findings not generalizable
• Subject withdrawals ≥ 10%
• Other limitations/explanation: Blinding of the session instructors is identified as a limitation. The instructors could have unintentionally made a difference in the delivery of the interventions and outcomes. There is a concern that the contrast between the two interventions may have not been enough. The sham intervention is not described fully. There was a greater than 15% drop-out rate with no intent to treat analysis.

Low-intensity exercise may be beneficial in reducing a number of symptoms and improving the well-being of cancer survivors. This study demonstrates that QG/TCE’s focus on meditative movement with a focus on breath appears to have an advantage for improving breast cancer survivors' persistent fatigue. A larger sample and longer intervention time is needed.