Effects of Qigong on Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Interventions: Other: Qigong therapy
Other: Progressive resistance training

Registration Number: NCT00885846

Lead Sponsor: Bastyr University

Brief Summary: Qigong therapy is a subtle energy-based methodology for preventing and healing diseases that has been practiced with remarkable results in China for about five thousand years. Recently, preliminary studies showed that Qigong exercises improve insulin resistance and glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. These studies suggest that Qigong therapy might be an effective and valuable complementary modality for treating type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease marked by abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is a serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening.

The purpose of this project is to conduct a randomized, controlled pilot clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of Qigong therapy to mild exercise and conventional treatment in type 2 diabetes and to identify biological and psychological characteristics associated with subjects' responses to Qigong therapy.

Aim 1: To compare the effects on blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level between a Qigong therapy group and non-treated control group as well as between Qigong group and a progressive resistance training (PRT) group before, during and after and 12-week intervention.

Hypothesis 1: Both Qigong therapy and PRT will help type 2 diabetic patients reduce blood sugar levels to different degrees through improving insulin resistance. But the levels of reduction of blood sugar will be greater by Qigong therapy than by PRT due to enhanced insulin secretion.

Aim 2: To compare the effects on fasting C-peptide and insulin levels between a Qigong therapy group, a PRT group and a non-treated control group before and after the intervention.

Hypothesis 2: Qigong therapy will increase the endogenous insulin and C-peptide levels by restoring the functions of the pancreas, while PRT will not alter either insulin or C-peptide levels.

Aim 3: To compare the effects of Qigong therapy and PRT on blood cortisol levels and psychological stress levels before, during and after the intervention.

Hypothesis 3: Perceived stress and depression will be improved by Qigong therapy to a greater extent than by PRT, and blood cortisol levels will be reduced to a greater extent with Qigong therapy.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes defined as a glycohemoglobin between 7.5% and 10.5%, and fasting insulin level <40 (IU/ml).
Must be controlling their diabetes with diet or may be taking oral medication for at least three months
Age 18-65
Ability to physically perform Qigong or low-intensity physical exercise
Body Mass Index 18-40
Have current primary care
Willing to monitor blood glucose at least twice a day
Willing to maintain a consistent diet during the study, and
Sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Significant kidney, liver or heart disease
History of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 2 years
Current or previous use of insulin
Use of dietary supplements that affect blood glucose or insulin
Current practice of Qigong (any style)

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Qigong Therapy	Qigong therapy	-
PRT	Progressive resistance training	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fasting Blood Glucose	Week 0 (baseline) and week 12 (final)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
HOMA-IR Index	weeks 0 and 12
Fasting Cortisol	Weeks 0 and 12
Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI)	weeks 0 and 12
Fasting C-peptide	weeks 0 and 12
Fasting Insulin	weeks 0 and 12
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)	weeks 0 and 12