QIGONG, IMMUNITY AND AIDS

Twenty-six of 30 HIV-positive subjects completed the protocol in this study which compared T4 cell counts before and after three months of Qigong meditation practice ‹ 3x/ wk in the first month, 5x/wk in the second and 3x/wk in the third. The Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories were completed before and after the intervention. There was no control group. T4 cell counts rose from a mean of 271 to 304/microliters (p<.05; depression scores fell from 9.1 to 6.7 (p<.05), and anxiety scores fell from 7.6 to 4.9 (p<.05).

Comments: There was no control group, which can be criticized; for its value as a pilot study, however, the results appear significant. In HIV-positive subjects, the tendency with the passage of time is for T4 counts to fall. Previous work on the effects of Qigong in stroke were mentioned here in issue 165, April 1996. Qigong is practiced by millions of Chinese for health promotion and maintenance. The authors here demonstrate that Qigong as a combination of meditation and a controlled martial arts form is correlated with immunoenhancement. It would remain to be demonstrated that similar effects would obtain in healthy persons. Logic would dictate that the trend in healthy persons would be similar. One more confirmation of the multiple influences strengthening the immune system. Ah, that it were taught in medical schools!


From: TOWNSEND LETTER tor DOCTORS & Practients - DECEMBER 1996, quoting from an original article: Koar WH. Meditation, T-Cells, Anxiety, Depression and HIV Infection. Subtle Energies 1995; 8(1): 88-97.