Health Qigong program for post cardiac attack patients – a pilot review

Abstract Description

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Authors (including presenting author) :

Lui NF(1), Tsui CY(1), Liu HF(1), Chan CS(1), Ma WL(1)

Affiliation :

(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Introduction :

Baduanjin is one of the traditional Chinese Qigong exercises. It is relatively easy to learn with less physical and cognitive demand due to it is only contains eight movements for the whole process. Systemic review showed significant benefit in patient’s quality of life, cardiopulmonary endurance and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate. For cardiac patients, studies have shown improvement in cardiopulmonary function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in patients with CHF caused by coronary artery disease. As an occupational therapist, we emphasize on balance lifestyle that patients can incoorperate this exercise to their daily routine as a leisure activity. In the cardiac rehabilitation program of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, we have introduced Baduanjin as a training element for occupational therapy since December, 2017. We aimed at patient to develop a safe leisure activity after cardiac event through learning the health qigong and reduce their stress post cardiac attack.

Objectives :

In this pilot review, we would like to explore 1) patient’s satisfaction to the training program and 2) the preferences of continuing health qigong after finishing the program.

Methodology :

During December 2017 to December 2018, there are 19 patients recruited in Baduanjin program. Each group will have 4-5 patients. All are diagnosed myocardial infarction with and without received PCI surgery. Before conducting the program, therapist will interview the patients for the physical and health condition and make sure the safety to join the training. The program will be led by occupational therapist and assistant. It contains 8 sessions, including warm up, education of movement and cool down. Occupational therapist will teach one movement in each session. Blood pressure and heart rate will be monitor by a polar watch in every session. After the program, every patient will complete a questionnaire for program evaluation. Pre and post assessment in quality of life (SF36) and mood status (DASS) will be done before and after the program.

Result & Outcome :

9 male and 10 female patients had attended the Health Qigong program within the period. 100% of the patients satisfied the health qigong program. 37% would practice Baduanjin at home 5 times per week, 47% would practice 3-5 times per week and 16% would practice less than 2 times per week. 84% of the patients thought that health qigong can relieve their pressure in daily life post cardiac attack. More than 89% of them thought that they could establish a healthy lifestyle with including this leisure activity in their livings.