STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether Qigong is more effective than no treatment and not inferior to exercise therapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lifetime prevalence of chronic neck pain is close to 50%. Qigong is often used by patients, although, the evidence is still unclear. METHODS: Patients (aged 20 to 60 years) with chronic neck pain (visual analog scale, VAS >= 40 mm) were randomized to (1) Qigong or (2) exercise therapy (18 sessions over 6 months) or (3) waiting list (no treatment). At baseline and after 3 and 6 months, patients completed standardized questionnaires assessing neck pain (VAS), neck pain and disability, and quality of life (Short Form SF-36 questionnaire, SF-36). The primary endpoint was average pain in the last 7 days on VAS at 6-month follow-up. Statistical analysis included generalized estimation equation models adjusted for baseline values and patient expectation. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients (aged 46 +/- 11 years, 88% women) suffering from chronic neck pain for 3.2 (SD +/- 1.6) years were included. After 6 months, a significant difference was seen between the Qigong and waiting list control groups (VAS mean difference -14 mm, 95%CI -23.1 to -5.4, p = 0.002). Mean improvements in the exercise group were comparable to those in the Qigong group (difference between groups -0.7 mm, CI -9.1 to 7.7) but failed to show statistical significance (p = 0.092). Neck pain and disability, and SF-36 results also yielded superiority of Qigong over no treatment and similar results in the Qigong and exercise therapy groups. CONCLUSION: Qigong was more effective than no treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. Further studies could be designed without waiting list control and should use a larger sample to clarify the value of Qigong compared to exercise therapy.
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