Mind-body practice of qigong can improve cancer-related fatigue
By Joshua Speiser,
Director of Strategic Communications, Carney Institute for Brain Science:
A study led by Brown University researchers found that a low-impact, meditative movement program involving qigong was as effective as more standard exercise programs in improving cancer-related fatigue.
Qigong’s Impact on Cancer Patients Qigong has been shown to have a significant impact on cancer patients, particularly in improving quality of life and reducing fatigue. Here are some of the key benefits of Qigong for cancer patients: Qigong | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
What is Qigong?
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Fatigue is a common, debilitating and often long-term side effect of cancer as well as its treatment. Researchers at Brown University’s Carney Institute for Brain Science found that people with cancer-related fatigue who practiced qigong, a mind-body movement practice, showed clinically significant improvements in fatigue over the course of a 10-week study. And qigong was as effective at reducing fatigue as a more energy-intensive exercise and nutrition program, the researchers found.
The new study, led by Brown’s Stephanie R. Jones, an associate professor of neuroscience, who built on work by the late Assistant Professor of Family Medicine Catherine Kerr, analyzed the effects of a regular qigong practice on cancer-related fatigue and compared the results to fatigue treatments involving exercise.
As many as 45% of cancer survivors report moderate to severe fatigue even years after stopping treatment. The researchers note that this fatigue can be more burdensome and disruptive to daily life than ongoing pain, nausea and depression. While studies show that exercise can help improve fatigue, there is not yet enough evidence to recommend a particular type of exercise or regimen. In addition, a moderate-to-vigorous exercise program may feel too intense or overwhelming for some patients with fatigue.
“Our study is important because it is the first randomized clinical trial to directly compare qigong practice to the best standards of care for fatigue — namely, exercise,” Jones said. “It would have been hard to predict that people who perform gentle non-aerobic intentional movements would show the same level of improvement as those who go through moderate strength training and aerobic exercise. It is exciting that our findings establish that this is indeed the case.”
The study included 24 female participants who had completed cancer treatment (including surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy) at least eight weeks prior to the research, all of whom reported cancer-related fatigue and agreed to participate in 10 weeks of classes.
Half of the group was assigned to take classes in qigong, a Chinese mind-body practice that involves sequences of gentle, rhythmic and repetitive movements as well as meditation. The other half participated in a class focused on healthy living that incorporated both physical exercise (Pilates-like core movements as well as resistance training and aerobic exercise) and general health and nutrition education. All classes were held twice a week, for about two hours per session, at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. For both groups, researchers analyzed changes in participants’ fatigue, emotional health and stress before and after the intervention.
Qigong Institute – Qigong for Cancer
The findings, published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies, showed that both interventions significantly improved cancer-related fatigue. The improvement levels were more than double the established “minimal clinically important difference,” which is the minimal change in score considered relevant by patients and physicians. The results from the qigong group were comparable to those from the exercise and nutrition group. The participants in the qigong group also reported significant improvements in mood, emotion regulation and stress, while those who had completed the exercise and nutrition program reported significant improvements in sleep and fatigue levels.
Mind-body approaches, which include qigong as well as yoga, mindfulness and tai-chi, are receiving increasing attention for their potential to affect physical, emotional and cognitive health — all of which may be helpful for those with cancer-related fatigue, Jones said. Importantly, the researchers noted that a gentle, low-intensity practice like qigong may offer some of the same physical benefits of exercise without requiring the same level of physical effort, which can be difficult for someone who has recently been through an experience like cancer.
Jones and her team are now studying how qigong might affect a person’s perception of fatigue.
“We are currently also examining changes in electrophysiological measures of brain and muscle activity that occur with practice in each group,” Jones said. “We’re testing the hypothesis that the treatment efficacy is related to modulation of brain-muscle communication that may be distinct in each group due to the different techniques.”
Jones noted that this study of 24 women was relatively small, and that future research could study the effects of mind-body interventions for cancer-related fatigue with larger and more diverse study populations.
This work underpinning this study was initiated by Catherine Kerr, who before her death in 2016 directed translational neuroscience at the Contemplative Studies Initiative at Brown University. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1995, Kerr benefited from qigong practice and sought a better understanding of why — that interest led to the current study, which was supported by funding from the Berkman-Landis Family Fund.
“We hope that this study, which was conceived by our colleague, the late Dr. Catherine Kerr, in her cancer journey, sets a foundation for further scientific inquiry on the healing trajectories promoted by qigong,” Jones said.
Study author Chloe Zimmerman is an M.D./Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Brown who started working on this research under Kerr’s mentorship.
“I think we still have a lot to learn about which mind-body practices are best for which patient,” Zimmerman said. “Being a part of this clinical trial with qigong has shown me how much healing potential there is from practices that have been historically dismissed by the biomedical clinical and research communities. I think we have a responsibility to keep investigating how they may exert their healing effects in rigorously designed studies.”
Brown researchers who contributed to this study include Research Assistant Dylan Daniels, Assistant Research Professor Simona Temereanca, and undergraduate students Cooper Penner and Tariq Cannonier.
Qigong: And Cancer Treatment – Search Videos
Qigong: The Eight Brocades with Mimi Kuo-Deemer (Free Pass)
Mimi Kuo-Deemer offers a beautiful and accessible course called Qigong: The Eight Brocades, which teaches the traditional Chinese practice of Ba Duan Jin—a sequence of eight movements designed to cultivate vitality, balance, and inner peace.
What the Course Includes
- Five-day structure: Each day introduces two of the eight brocade forms.
- Gentle, grounding movements: Suitable for all levels, including beginners.
- Philosophical insights: Mimi weaves in essential qigong philosophy and Daoist principles.
- Health benefits: Supports organ function, improves circulation, balances emotions, and aligns you with nature2.
Watch It Online
You can experience the Eight Brocades with Mimi Kuo-Deemer in a free video session on YouTube, or explore her full course offerings on One Commune and her official website2.
Would you like help creating a daily practice schedule or exploring other qigong styles she teaches?
1www.mkdeemer.com2www.onecommune.com3www.youtube.com
What is the Qigong: The Eight Brocades,
The Eight Brocades, or Ba Duan Jin (八段锦), are a classic set of Qigong exercises that have been practiced in China for centuries to promote health, vitality, and mental clarity. Each “brocade” is a distinct movement designed to target specific organs, meridians, and energetic pathways in the body.
The Eight Brocades Explained
Here’s a breakdown of the eight movements and their traditional benefits:
- Two Hands Hold up the Heavens (Shuang Shou Tuo Tian)
- Stretches the whole body and stimulates the Triple Burner (San Jiao)
- Promotes circulation and relieves fatigue
- Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk (Zuo You Kai Gong Si She Diao)
- Opens the chest and strengthens the lungs
- Builds strength in the arms and shoulders
- Separate Heaven and Earth (Tiao Li Pi Wei Xu Dan Ju)
- Balances the spleen and stomach
- Improves digestion and harmonizes upper and lower body
- Wise Owl Gazes Backwards (Wu Lao Qi Shang Wang Hou Qiao)
- Enhances flexibility in the neck and spine
- Stimulates the kidneys and relieves stress
- Sway the Head and Shake the Tail (Yao Tou Bai Wei Qu Xin Huo)
- Clears heart fire and calms the mind
- Improves spinal mobility and internal balance
- Two Hands Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist (Liang Shou Pan Zu Gu Shen Yao)
- Strengthens lower back and kidneys
- Promotes grounding and energy flow
- Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely (Cuan Quan Nu Mu Zeng Qi Li)
- Builds internal strength and boosts Qi
- Enhances focus and determination
- Shake the Back Seven Times to Eliminate Illness (Bei Hou Qi Dian Bai Bing Xiao)
- Stimulates the spine and internal organs
- Promotes detoxification and overall vitality
Practice Tips
- Perform slowly and mindfully, coordinating breath with movement.
- Each brocade can be practiced individually or as a full sequence.
- Ideal for morning or evening routines to balance energy.
Would you like a printable guide or video walkthrough to help you get started?
I Would like a printable guide or video walkthrough to help you get started?
You’re in luck! There are excellent resources available to help you begin practicing the Eight Brocades Qigong with Mimi Kuo-Deemer.
Printable Guide
Mimi offers a free downloadable PDF that outlines each of the Eight Brocades with clear instructions and illustrations. You can find it on her official website:
- Eight Brocades PDF Guide – Search — scroll down to the “Free Downloads” section.
This guide is perfect for printing and keeping nearby during your practice.
Video Walkthrough
Mimi has a beautifully filmed free video series that walks you through each movement:
- QiGong Flow – The Eight Brocades with Mimi Kuo-Deemer — a full session with gentle guidance and breathwork.
- Qigong: The Eight Brocades with Mimi Kuo-Deemer (Free Pass) — a structured five-day course with deeper insights and philosophy.
https://organicbodycleanse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Natural_Cancer_Treatments.pdf
These videos are ideal if you prefer learning by watching and following along.