Effects of Qigong on Lowering Blood Pressure

January 27, 2021 - The benefits of Qigong for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) reduction have been noted in previously published systematic reviews; however, the data on its effectiveness has been at best scarce. As reported by BMC complementary medicine and therapies in January 2021, a study by Malaysian scientists aimed to update the evidence of Qigong on blood pressure reduction after taking into consideration the risks of random error and reliability of data in the cumulative meta-analysis using trial sequential analysis (TSA).

Included trials were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias instrument. They performed meta-analysis with random-effects model and random errors were evaluated with TSA. They searched for the eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) through Medline, Cinahl, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and also PubMed.

A total of 370 subjects sourced from seven eligible RCTs were entered into the analysis. The pooled results demonstrated the significant reduction with the use of Qigong of the systolic blood pressure and diastolic BP as compared to the control group.

Conclusions: Significant reductions in BP is seen with the use of Qigong as compared with the control group, suggesting that Qigong may be used as a complementary therapy in the somewhat complicated management of hypertension.