Effectiveness of qigong in improving blood lipids in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and numerous studies have demonstrated that controlling dyslipidemia can reduce hospitalization and mortality rates, and thus improve survival. Qigong is widely used as an effective complementary and alternative therapy.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, CNKI, VIP, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and WanFang data databases was performed. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-assessment tool. Meta-analysis was performed using the Review Manage 5.4 software.

Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials including 1654 patients with cardiovascular disease were included. The results showed that qigong, compared with no exercise, significantly reduced TG (MD= -0.39, 95% CI [-0.65, -0.14], P =0.003) and LDL-C (MD= -0.68, 95% CI [-0.91, -0.45], P < 0.00001), TC (MD= -0.12, 95% CI [-0.32, 0.08], P = 0.23) and HDL-C (MD = 0.13, 95% CI [0.04, 0.22], P=0.005) were not significantly different. There was no statistically significant difference between the qigong and the other exercises.

Conclusion: Qigong had a significant positive effect on lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular disease. The most significant effects were TG and LDL-C; although TC and HDL-C were not significantly improved, there were still positive effects.