PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sumalee Kiatboonsri
AU  - Potjanee Korrungruang
AU  - Pornpimon Learsanantrakul
TI  - Effects of Tai Chi Qigong exercise training on asthma control
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3525
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3525.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3525.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Though exercise training increased exercise capacity in asthma, its effect on asthma control has not been well described. This study aims at exploring the impact of Tai Chi Qigong(TCQ) exercise training on asthma control.Methods:This prospective, case-control study recruited adult asthmatics with pre-bronchodilator FEV1 of ≤75% predicted. In addition to the self-monitored peak-expiratory flow rate(PEFR) and Asthma Control Questionnaires(ACQ), patients in TCQ and control groups were assessed at 0, 4 and 10 weeks. These included 6-minute walking distances(6MWD), pre and post-6MW spirometries and dyspnea indices(Borg), transitional dyspnea indices(TDI), Saint George Respiratory Questionnaires(SGRQ) and maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP). TCQ exercise trainings were provided to the TCQ group during week 4-10.Results:There were 29 and 8 patients in TCQ and control groups respectively. After TCQ training, the TCQ group demonstrated significant improvements in asthma control, i.e. ACQ (1.38±0.83 vs 1.05±0.81, p=0.011) and PEFR variability(%) (18.10±12.87 vs 12.8±11.39, p=0.007); 6MWD(meters) (461.66±44.83 vs 478.28±57.25, p=0.0378); MIP(-cmH2O) (81.07±27.62 vs 91.1±24.71, p<0.001); Borg changes after 6MW (2.97±1.57 vs 2.03±1.15, p=0.0297) and TDI (10.45±2.26 vs 14.24±4.06, p<0.0001). Neither of these parameters improved with time in the control group. SGRQ improved in the TCQ group (25.02±15.11 vs 21.13±15.48, p=0.05), but deteriorated in the control group (16.32±11.81 vs 24.91±17.03).Conclusions:TCQ exercise training improved asthma control. This finding and the associated improvements in exercise capacity, muscle strength and dyspnea signified that TCQ training could be considered an effective, adjunctive asthma-therapy.