Problems of scientific methodology related to placebo control in Qigong studies: A systematic review

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Goncalves, M (Author) Other; Luis Carlos Matos (Author) FEUP; Duarte, L (Author) Other; Machado, J (Author) Other; Greten, HJ (Author) Other; Franconi, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Vol. 24

Pages: 261-270

ISSN: 1360-8592

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-EBE

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.035

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Qigong is widespread in the West and used for preventive care, stress-induced conditions, emotional and vegetative symptoms like migraine and hypertension, as well as for better coordination in the elderly and quality of life enhancement in severe disease such as cancer. Adequate controls for Qigong research are lacking, compromising the level of efficacy evidence. Adequate Qigong placebo control exercises should match clear and standardized criteria. Methods: Three computerized databases were assessed in January 2018 (Scopus, Web of Science and MEDLINE on PubMed) using the following keywords or their combinations: (Qigong OR Qi Gong OR Gong Qi OR Chi Kung OR Kung Chi OR Kiko OR Ki Gong OR Ki Kong) AND placebo. In addition, all reference lists were scanned for further relevant articles. Literature was examined for the effects of Qigong as compared to a control intervention. Results: 110 articles were found, 78 of which were excluded after examining the title and abstract, and 16 because they were duplicates. Four more articles were found by searching in the bibliographies of published papers. A total of 20 studies were included in this systematic review. We found that, to the best of our knowledge, no criteria for placebo controls have been published in peer-reviewed journals so far. Conclusion: Placebo controls should be developed by the usage of vegetative functional assessments such as heart rate variability, thermography, and electrophysiological measurements, thus excluding major vegetative effects of the exercise, as well as by the usage of psychometric tests and other quantitative evaluations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10