Qigong training and effects on stress, neck-shoulder pain and life quality in a computerised office environment

BackgroundQigong is a Chinese health promoting exercise with a rhythmic pattern of slow movements and breathing affecting the autonomous nervous system.ObjectivesTo examine the implementation of Qigong for half an hour daily in a computerised office, and to study effects on health state, general health, neck-shoulder and lumbar spine symptoms and stress after six weeks trainingDesignA crossover intervention study with 37 employees randomised in two groups. A questionnaire was completed one week before starting study and every second week during the training period. After 6 weeks the first group stopped and the second group started the training.ResultsThere was a small significant improvement of neck pain and disability following therapy.ConclusionQigong training may reduce neck disability in office workers. A longer training period might be needed in further Qigong studies in healthy, normal populations.