The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of Dan-Jeon breathing training and of Qi as a essential substance in forming human body. The sample consists of 7 participants who are Dan-Jeon Breathing training in a Training center, Pusan, Korea. They were asked open-ended questions in order for them to talk about their experiences. With permission of the subjects, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. 1. The purpose of Dan-Jeon Breathing The interview data was organized by themes into 4 categories: hope for health recovery, a concern about Dan-Jeon Breathing, seeking meaning of life, change of lifestyle. 2. The experience of Qi during Dan-Jeon Breathing training The interview data was organized by themes into 3 categories: an autonomic movement of body, spiritual experience, conviction of existence of Qi. 3. The change after Dan-Jeon Breathing training The interview data was organized by themes into 7 categories: physical health promotion, emotional relaxation, promoting brain function, positive attitude about life, love to others, investigation for self, improvement on Qi feeling.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of QiGong gymnastics exercise program in the physiopsychological parameter inessential hypertension. The design of the research was a one group pretest-posttest design. A total of 20 patients with hypertension who were from forty to sixty-five years old participated in the study. The Qi Gong gymnastics program was carried out twice a week for thirty minutes or forty minutes for six weeks from 22, Sep. to 31, Oct. in 1997. In order to evaluate the effect of the QiGong gymnastics program physiological parameter(blood pressure, pulse rate, FVC, FEV1, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Cortisol) and psychological parameter(self-efficacy, Life satisfaction) were measured before and after the exercise program. Collected data was analyzed by the paired t-test with SAS package. The result are as follows: 1) There were significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure, but there was no significant change in pulse rate. 2) There were no significant difference in FVC and FEV1. 3) There were significant decrease in epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. 4) There were significant improved in general self-efficacy and life satisfaction. 5) The effect of QiGong gymnastics program by measurement time on blood pressure and pulse rate were as follows: In a systolic blood pressure was gradually significant decreased from 1 week to 6 weeks and diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased after 4 weeks. But there was no significant in pulse rate. This results suggest that QiGong gymnastics are an appropriate nursing intervention for clients with hypertension. For further research is necessary to reevaluate the effect with a letter experimental design and longer period than 8 weeks for the QiGong gymnastics program.
This study was done to investigate the motivational, physical and affective benefits of exergaming in community dwelling older adult women.
The research design was a nonequivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. Sixty-one older adult women over the age of 65 were recruited from 6 community senior centers to participate in the 8 week exercise intervention or control group. Six centers were divided into one of three groups: exergame, qigong exercise, or control. The exergame and the qigong exercise group received 16 sessions, scheduled twice a week, with each session lasting 50 minutes. Test measures were completed before and after the 8 week intervention period for all participants. Measures included: Grip strength, chair stand, 6 m walking, balance, geriatric depression scale, vitality and intrinsic motivation.
There were significant improvements in the exergame and qigong exercise group for grip strength, chair stand, 6m walking, balance, vitality and intrinsic motivation at the end the 8-week program compared with the control group.
The exergame could be an effective alternative for older adult women to group exercise classes.
This paper analyzed the historical origins of the Qi concept and assesses its possible contributions to the development of complementary therapy and new nursing practices.
In order to clarify the Qi concept and measure its theoretical/clinical potentials, this study analyzed both historical data and experimental research that adopt and apply the concept. These include modern/contemporary research measuring its effects in promoting mental and physical health. Using the method of cross-cultural comparison, this study analyzed diverse approaches to the Qi concept and sought to find common features among the approaches.
A historical, cross-cultural analysis revealed several fundamental similarities between Qi theories that have developed in the east and the holistic concepts that have evolved in the western traditions. Especially, the analysis of the more recent research on the Qi concept shows ample possibilities of its future contributions to the development of new diagnostic applications and the promotion of overall human health.
The historical study of the Qi concept found some key common factors in the diverse philosophical traditions in the east and the west. Considering the growing popularity of complementary therapy among health professionals and the general public, the Qi concept and its clinical applications are expected to promote human health. In this context, this research contributes to developing new nursing practices based on the concept by clarifying its philosophical origins and theoretical backgrounds.