Research

Selected Research Relevant to Tai Chi & Qigong:

“Not everything that counts can be counted,
and not everything that can be counted counts.”

Quote attributed to Albert Einstein,
(but in fact originated with sociologist William Bruce Cameron, 1963,
“Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking”).

DISCLAIMER: All research on this site should be considered as a self-empowering tool to begin your exploration of complementary health and medical treatments. Always consult with your medical doctor regarding to whether, and how, to integrate this information with your medical doctor’s treatment plan.

A General Overview of Research:

• National Institute of Health (NIH) Overview of Health Benefits of Tai Chi: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tai-chi-what-you-need-to-know (for lay people to get a good overview.)

• National Institute of Health Research References (NIH links to Tai Chi studies on various health related conditions).

• “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi” (Wayne & Fuerst, 1991) says: “regular practice leads to more vigor and flexibility, better balance and mobility, and a sense of well-being. Cutting-edge research from Harvard Medical School also supports the long-standing claims that Tai Chi also has a beneficial impact on the health of the heart, bones, nerves and muscles, immune system, and the mind.”

• Health Benefits of Tai chi: What is the Evidence? Huston, P, MacFarlane, B. Canadian Family Physician, Vol. 62, November, 2016.

• Medical Research Library from World Tai Chi & Qigong Day-https://www.worldtaichiday.org/WTCQDHlthBenft.html

• The National Qigong Association: https://www.nqa.org/research-updates

• Jahnke, R. Larkey, L, Rogers, C, et .al,  2010).  A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi, American Journal of Health Promotion, July/August. Vol 24, No 5.

• Is the energy between your hands real? Sayer, Ji, (Aug 2025,) Your Body’s Hidden Technology: The Scalar Field Between Your Hands Prayer Hands Decoded: The Science Behind Humanity’s Most Sacred Gesture, https://sayerji.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

Acupuncture Meridians and Points: Do they Exist & are they Efficacious?

• McDonald, J., & Janz, S. (2017). The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A comparative literature review (rev. ed.), https://www.asacu.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Acupuncture-Evidence-Project-The.pdf . “…drew upon 136 systematic reviews and meta-analyses to examine pooled data from more than a thousand peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), finding “moderate” to “high quality” evidence for 46 of the conditions investigated, including several psychiatric disorders and various types of pain, and “some evidence” for beneficial effects of acupuncture in treating 117 of the 122 conditions. (Feinstien, 2024)

• Langevin, H. M., & Yandow, J. A. (2002). Relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes.The Anatomical Record, 269 (6), 257–265. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.10185, https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.10185. “…using ultrasound images, Langevin and Yandow (2002) found an 80% correspondence between the sites of acupoints and the body’s connective tissues, suggesting an “anatomical relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes” (p. 257).

• Sha Nan, Juan Wan, Qianghui Lie, et al. (2023), The involvement of the primo vascular system in local enteritis and its modification by electroacupuncture, Front. Immunol., 10 January 2023, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1072996/full. “…verified with staining procedures and high-resolution microscopy.” ” “the physical reality of acupuncture meridians has been confirmed by electroconductivity, hydraulic conductance, acoustic wave propagation, detectible light and heat delivery, radioisotope tracing pathways, and the propagated sensation along the channel” (para 21, citations for each method of confirmation are in the original).” (Feinstein, 2024)

• Andrew C. Ahn, Agatha P. Colbert, Belinda J. Anderson, Ørjan G. Martinsen, Richard Hammerschlag, Steve Cina, Peter M. Wayne, Helene M. Langevin, (2008), Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: A systematic review, First published: 31 January 2008, https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20403, ” …found that seven of the nine studies identified a positive association between acupuncture meridians, lower electrical impedance, and higher capacitance.” (Feinstein, 2024)

• Juan Li,¹Qing Wang,¹Huiling Liang,¹Haoxu Dong,¹Yan Li,¹Ernest Hung Yu Ng,²and Xiaoke Wu¹ (2012), Biophysical Characteristics of Meridians and Acupoints: A Systematic Review, Review Article | Open Access, Volume 2012,  Article ID 793841, https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/793841. “…tracer dyes, injected at acupuncture points, generated linear migrations closely aligned with the meridian charts, supporting an anatomical basis for the meridians and corroborating Langevin and Yandow’s earlier finding that the meridians operate within the connective tissue.” (Feinstein, 2024).

Fang, J., Jin, Z., Wang, Y., Li, K., Kong, J., Nixon, E.E., Zeng, Y., Ren, Y., Tong, H., Wang, Y., Wang, P. and Hui, K.K.-S. (2009), The salient characteristics of the central effects of acupuncture needling: Limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network modulation^†. Hum. Brain Mapp., 30: 1196-1206. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20583. “fMRI studies during a 10-year research program conducted at Harvard Medical School showed that stimulating certain acupuncture points (acupoints) sends signals to various brain regions, such as the amygdala, that downregulate excessive activity ” (Feinstein, 2024). (Fang et al., 2009).

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS):

• McGee, R.W. (2022), A Suggestion for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), , Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2022.44.007072

• Chen, X, Bao, J. et al. (2013), The Use of Integrative Therapies in Patients with ALS in Shanghai;, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Tan, Qi Cai, X. How to Treat ALS with Acupuncture and TCM,

Anxiety and Depression:

Yangjian Dong, Xiaoqin Kuang, Lili Dong, Guodong Chao, juancai Qi, Xinxin Zhang^,, Jiwei Yao, Exploring the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine exercise in alleviating anxiety and depression in older adults: a comprehensive study with randomized controlled trial and network meta-analysis, Front. Psychol., Vol 21410 December 2023,  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1290471

Arthritis: Rheumatoid

• Wang, C., Beyond drugs: can Tai Chi mind–body exercise be an alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis? Int. J. Clin. Rheumatol. (2011) 6(5), 477–479, Editorial: Tufts Medical Center

Back Pain: Lower Back Pain:

• Zhang, F, Zhao. J. et al., 2022). Meta-Analysis of Tai Chi Chuan in Treating Lumbar Spondylosis and Back Pain, Applied Bionics and biomechanics, Vol. 2022.

• Wayne, P. et. al, (2018) A Multidisciplinary integrative medicine team in the treatment of chronic low-back pain: An observational comparative effectiveness study, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0002.

Bone Health, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis;

• From the NIH site:Tai chi. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 603 participants found that tai chi was associated with improved walking function and posture control in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials and 2 case series found that compared to the controls groups, exercise (including tai chi and yoga) showed a small-to-high effect for improving pain, physical function, quality of life, and stiffness. A 2016 randomized, 52-week, single blind comparative effectiveness study involving 204 participants, found that tai chi produced beneficial effects similar to those of a standard course of physical therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 986 participants with knee osteoarthritis found that pain, physical function, dynamic balance, and physiological and psychological health were significantly improved for those practicing tai chi.

• From the National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health, NIH site: A 2015 review included 9 osteoarthritis studies with a total of 543 participants. The review concluded that tai chi improved pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis, and the authors noted that the improvement may increase balance. Updated 2019 guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend tai chi for the management of both knee and hip osteoarthritis.

• Roger Jahnke, A Comprehensive Reviews of Health benefits of Qigong and Tai chi.Click link  search article for “bone,” bone density, Four articles that were randomly controlled studies.

• Maciaszek J, Osiski W, Szeklicki R, Stemplewski R. Effect of tai chi on body balance: randomized controlled trial in men with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Am J Chin Med. 2007;35:1–9.

• Bone loss and brittle Bones studies

• Arthritis and Tai Chi/qigong-References for the public.

Brain functioning:

• Ahlberg,, L. Exercise Enhances Brain Function Through Muscle-Nerve Interaction, Neuroscience, May 6, 2024;

• Kai-Yu Huang, Gaurav Upadhyay, Yujin Ahn (2024), Neuronal innervation regulates the secretion of neurotrophic myokines and exosomes from skeletal muscle, PNAS, April 29, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2313590121

Breathing; Qigong and related research regarding the efficacy of long exhale breathing, which activates parasympathetic nervous system, etc :

Long exhales are an easy way to “hack your vagus nerve:” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve., Bergland, C., Psychology Today, May 9, 2019.

Slow breathing practices significantly increased time and frequency domain HRV metrics, diminished perceived stress, and improved decision-making:.slow breathing practices significantly increased time and frequency domain HRV metrics, diminished perceived stress, and improved decision-making. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876018303258.

Dutch research shows long exhale is correlated with improved physical health, mental health, and cognitive performance, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397/full

Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity. Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH, Front Hum Neurosci. 2018 Oct 9;12:397. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397. PMID: 30356789; PMCID: PMC6189422.

Courtney R, Cohen M. Investigating the claims of Konstantin Buteyko, M.D., Ph.D.: the relationship of breath holding time to end tidal CO2 and other proposed measures of dysfunctional breathing. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Mar;14(2):115-23. doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.7204. PMID: 18315509.

Kiesel K, Rhodes T, Mueller J, Waninger A, Butler R. DEVELOPMENT OF A SCREENING PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS WITH DYSFUNCTIONAL BREATHING. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct;12(5):774-786. PMID: 29181255; PMCID: PMC5685417.

Marijke De Couck, Ralf Caers, Liza Musch, Johanna Fliegauf, Antonio Giangreco, Yori Gidron, (2019), How breathing can help you make better decisions: Two studies on the effects of breathing patterns on heart rate variability and decision-making in business cases,International Journal of Psychophysiology,Volume 139, Pages 1-9, ISSN 0167-8760, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.02.011.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876018303258)

Marc A. Russo, Danielle M. Santarelli, Dean O’Rourke, (2017) The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human, Breathe 2017 13: 298-309; DOI: 10.1183/20734735.009817

Russell ME, Scott AB, Boggero IA, Carlson CR. Inclusion of a rest period in diaphragmatic breathing increases high frequency heart rate variability: Implications for behavioral therapy. Psychophysiology. 2017 Mar;54(3):358-365. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12791. Epub 2016 Dec 7. PMID: 27925652; PMCID: PMC5319881.

Cancer: Are Medical Qigong and Guo Lin Qigong effective for Cancer? More research is needed.

• Guo Lin Qigong Reduces anxiety, improves immune function, reduces inflammation  and quality of life: The efficacy of Guolin-Qigong on the body-mind health of Chinese women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial

• The efficacy of Guolin-Qigong on the body-mind health of Chinese women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial

• Jones, B. Changes in cytokine production in healthy subjects practicing Guolin Qigong : a pilot study, BMC Complementary & Alternative med, , 2001.

• Tian Meng, et al, Medical Qigong increases Cancer survival rate time. Daniel Man Yuen SXE, et al. , Critical Review in Qigong & Immunity Cancer Research, International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2017,  DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2017.07.00227

• Qigong for women with breast cancer: An updated systematic review and meta analysis, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102743

• Chinese Herbal Medicine Is Helpful for Survival Improvement in Patients With Multiple Myeloma in Taiwan: A Nationwide Retrospective Matched-Cohort Study, 2020, Huang, c, Wu, M, el al, Integr. Cancer Ther., Pub Med

Cancer of the Lung

DMSO:

Hundreds of Studies Show DMSO Transforms The Treatment of Cancer, A Midwestern Doctor, March 15, 2025

The ForgottonCancer Cure Hiding in Plain Sight, A Midwestern Doctor, Apr 12, 2024.

Therapeutic DMSO Combinations Revolutionize Medicine, A Midwestern Doctor, June 21, 2025.

Tommie Sue Tralka ,  Alan S. Rabson, Cilia Formation in Cultures of Human Lung Cancer Cells Treated With Dimethyl Sulfoxide, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 57, Issue 6, December 1976, Pages 1383–1388, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/57.6.1383

Mercola, J. Unlocking DMSO’s Potential — Revolutionary Combination Therapies for Pain, Infections, and More, A Midwestern Doctor, July 28, 2025

Baldeli, e. et al, Heterogeneous Off-Target Effects of Ultra-Low Dose Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) on Targetable Signaling Events in Lung Cancer In Vitro Models, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(6), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22062819

Ultrasound:

https://www.fusfoundation.org/posts/focused-ultrasound-for-lung-tumors-from-impossible-to-possible

https://med.virginia.edu/radiology-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2025/01/mata-tomography-10-00042.pdf

Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/treatment/types-of-treatment/immunotherapy

Chinese Medical Approaches to Lung Cancer:

https://molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12943-025-02245-6

Chronic Fatigue: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong Exercise on Fatigue Symptoms, Functioning, and Telomerase Activity in Persons with Chronic Fatigue or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Rainbow T. H. Ho, Ph.D.,  Jessie S. M. Chan, M.P.H., Chong-Wen Wang, Ph.D.,  Benson W. M. Lau, Ph.D.,  Kwok Fai So, Ph.D., Li Ping Yuen, B.C.M.,  Jonathan S. T. Sham, M.D.,  Cecilia L. W. Chan, Ph.D. Author Notes, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 44, Issue 2, October 2012, Pages 160–170, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9381-6, 27 June 2012.

Cognitive Health & Tai Chi: Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on cognitive and physical functions in older adults: systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized clinical trials. Park, M. song. r, Ju K. et al., BMC Geriatr 23, 352 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04070-2

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Adults 60 Years or Older with Type 2 Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Chen, y, Qin, J Tao, L. et al., JAMA: (2023) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Is Tai Chi more Effective than Walking for Cognitive Decline? (2023) Jama Open Network

Depression: Effectiveness of a Qigong program on sleep quality among community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate depression: A randomized controlled trial, Phenphop Phansuea, Sookjaroen Tangwongchai, Thanapoom Rattananupong, Vitool Lohsoonthorn, SomratLertmaharit , Journal of Health Research, ISSN: 2586-940X, Open Access. Article publication date: 2 March 2020, Issue publication date: 7 August 2020.

Sitting Tai Chi was found to have favorable effects on depressive symptoms, heart rate, and social domain of quality of life of individuals with impaired physical mobility. More research is needed on dynamic sitting balance, handgrip strength, and the physical and psychological domains of quality of life. The effects of sitting Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial health outcomes among individuals with impaired physical mobility. A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Jie Zhao, Janita Pak Chun Chau, Suzanne Hoi Shan Lo, Kai Chow Choi, Surui Liang, Int J Nurs Stud,  2021 Mar 3;118:103911.doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103911. PMID: 33751992   DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103911

Death, fear of:

Zhou J, Wu B, Su L, Ma X. The influence of tai chi on the death anxiety of elderly people living alone: the chain mediating effect of social support and psychological capital. Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 8;14:1303524. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1303524. PMID: 38298370; PMCID: PMC10828961.

EMDR:

• Check out this article (book chapter) by a colleague/friend of mine, Eric Leskowitz, MD., for an interesting energy oriented perspective on EMDR’s mechanism of action: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333702778_EMDR_and_Subtle_Energy_A_Proposed_Mechanism_of_Action, DOI:10.1155/2016/5935782

• Comparison of efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing of emotional freedom technique and cognitive-behavioral therapy in PTSD in covid-19, Akbari, M, Aghdasi, et al, Jour of Modern Psychological Researches, June 2023. EMDR proved most effective; all three methods were helpful.

Falls and Balance:

•Nyman, S., Tai Chi for the Prevention of Falls Among Older Adults: A Critical Analysis of the Evidence, Jour. of Aging and Physical Activity, Vol 29 Issue 2. 2020.

• Feng Yang, Wei Liu, Biomechanical mechanism of Tai-Chi gait for preventing falls: A pilot study,Journal of Biomechanics, Volume 105, 2020,109769, ISSN 0021-9290,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109769, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021929020301858.

Kuzma, C.,The Very Real benefits of Tai Chi Walking, NY Times, Feb, 28 2026.

Fibromyalgia:

• Sluka,, K. Tens Pulses Defeat Fibromyalgia Pain and Fatigue, March 28, 2026, Dailey DL, Vance CGT, Van Gorp BJ, et al. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pain With Movement in People With Fibromyalgia: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(3):e262450. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.2450

Qigong and Fibromyalgia: Randomized Controlled Trials and Beyond, 2014, Sawynok & Lynch, M., Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2014 | Article ID 379715 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/379715

• Traditional Chinese Medicine for Fibromyalgia, Mist, S,Wright, C., et al, 2010 ,Pract. Pain Manag., NIH, National Library ofMedicine.

Wang C, Schmid CH, Rones R, Kalish R, Yinh J, Goldenberg DL, Lee Y, McAlindon T. A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia. N Engl J Med. 2010 Aug 19;363(8):743-54. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0912611. PMID: 20818876; PMCID: PMC3023168.

Heart: Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability:

• Li X, Chang P, Wu M, et al. Effect of Tai Chi vs Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure in Patients With Prehypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e2354937.

•Tai Chi can improve the blood pressure of patients with hypertension by decreasing the serum Ang II level and increasing the serum NO level. Effect and mechanism of Tai Chi on blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension: a randomized controlled study, Bo Lin, Qiu Jin, Chunhua Liu, Wenhui Zhao, Runyuan Ji , J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 2021 Dec 9. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.13394-8.Online ahead of print.

• Effects of Tai Chi on essential hypertension and related risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Guan, Y., Hao, Y et al., 2020, J. Rehab Med, Pub Med

• Qigong and Heart Rate Variability: Overview of research. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heart-rate-variability-new-way-track-well-2017112212789

• Qigong and Heart Rate Variability: A systematic Review, Ramos, C, Franca W et al. 2017, Jour of Biosciences and Medicines, 5 120-127.

• What Is Heart Rate Variability? And Why Does It Matter? Aldao,, A. 2014, Psychology Today.

• Measurement of heart rate variability and cognitive abilities based on attachment styles in children with chronic medical conditions, 2019 Ghafarimoghadam, F Araini, F., Scientific Reports 9, Open Acess.

• A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies: Implications for heart rate variability as a marker of stress and health, Thayer, J., Ahs, F, et al., 2012, Neuroscience & Behavioral Reviews, Vol 36, Issue 2.

For Research Methodology Issues related to Tai Chi,Qigong and Hypertension see:

• Mayer, M. (1999).Qigong and hypertension: A critique of research, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 5(4), 371-382.

• Mayer, M. (2003). Qigong clinical studies. In W. B. Jonas (Ed.), Healing, intention, and energy medicine (pp. 121-137). England: Churchill Livingston.

• Mayer, M. (2010). Hypertension: An integral bodymind healing approach . Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine (Peer Reviewed). Also available on this website as an on-line Webinar: Click here.

Incontinence

Liao Y, Du X, Fu Y, Liu L, Wei J, An Q, Luo X, Gao F, Jia S, Chang Y, Guo M, Liu H. Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating overactive bladder. Int Urol Nephrol. 2023 Mar;55(3):489-501. doi: 10.1007/s11255-022-03434-8. Epub 2022 Dec 7. PMID: 36479677; PMCID: PMC9957912.

Paik SH, Han SR, Kwon OJ, Ahn YM, Lee BC, Ahn SY. Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials. Exp Ther Med. 2013 Sep;6(3):773-780. doi: 10.3892/etm.2013.1210. Epub 2013 Jul 9. PMID: 24137264; PMCID: PMC3786848.

Patricia J. Ohtake,  Diane Borello-France, Rehabilitation for Women and Men With Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction, Physical Therapy, Volume 97, Issue 4, April 2017, Pages 390–392, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzx035, 10 May 2017

Xu M, Zhang X, Zhuo Y, Wu W, Liu Q, Qin S, Long Z, Ai K, Li Y, Zhang H. Health Qigong Mawangdui Guidance can improve pelvic floor muscle function and quality of life in females with stress urinary incontinence: A randomized controlled trial pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Apr 12;103(15):e37671. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037671. PMID: 38608094; PMCID: PMC11018200.

Insomnia

Improving Sleep Quality in Older Adults with Moderate Sleep Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi Chih, Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Motivala SJ., Sleep. 2008 Jul;31(7):1001-8. PMID: 18652095; PMCID: PMC2491506.

Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. Tai Chi for late life insomnia and inflammatory risk: a randomized controlled comparative efficacy trial. Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carrillo C, Sadeghi N, Breen EC, Witarama T, Yokomizo M, Lavretsky H, Carroll JE, Motivala SJ, Bootzin R, Nicassio P., Sleep. 2014 Sep 1;37(9):1543-52. doi: 10.5665/sleep.4008. PMID: 25142571; PMCID: PMC4153053.

Bonab, S. B., and Parvaneh, M. (2022). The effect of twelve weeks of tai chi exercises on sleep quality, pain perception, and death anxiety in elderly women. Ann. Med. Psychol. 180, 905–911. doi: 10.1016/j.amp.2022.01.019

Li F, Fisher KJ, Harmer P, Irbe D, Tearse RG, Weimer C. Tai chi and self-rated quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. J AmGeriatr Soc. 2004;52(6):892–900.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Longevity:

• One Legged Stance Correlated with Longevity: Arujo, C. et al. (2021) Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals, British Journal of Sports Medicine, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-105360. Balance quickly diminishes after the mid-50s increasing the risk for falls and other adverse health outcomes. Our aim was to assess whether the ability to complete a 10- s one-legged stance (10-second OLS) is associated with all-cause mortality and whether it adds relevant prognostic information beyond ordinary demographic, anthropometric and clinical data. Within the limitations of uncontrolled variables such as recent history of falls and physical activity, the ability to successfully complete the 10-s OLS is independently associated with all-cause mortality and adds relevant prognostic information beyond age, sex and several other anthropometric and clinical variables.

• Effects of Tai Chi on telomerase activity and gerotranscendence in middle aged and elderly adults in Chinese society, Duan, G., Wang, K. et al., 2016, International Journal of Nursing, Vol 3. Issue 1, pp 235-41.

• Here is a copy of an article on Tai Chi Ruler, Written by Professor Jerry Alan Johnson, which gives s good review of the history and practice of this classic longevity method. For Dr. Michael’s adaptation of this method to go along with the “Four Dimensions of Purpose approach” please contact him. For example, in his You Tube video on this site you’ll learn how to use this method to reverse the sympathetic nervous system fight, flight , freeze response to create a parasympathetic nervous system relaxation response. The parasympathetic nervous system is key for healing dysregulation activating the immune system, and longevity.

Nomura T, Nagano K, Takato J, Ueki S, Matsuzaki Y, Yasumura S. The development of a Tai Chi exercise regimen for the prevention of conditions requiring long-term care in Japan. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2011 May-Jun;52(3):e198-203. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.11.010. Epub 2010 Dec 8. PMID: 21145120.

Hartley L, Flowers N, Lee MS, Ernst E, Rees K. Tai chi for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Apr 9;(4):CD010366. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010366.pub2. PMID: 24715694.

Wu G. Evaluation of the effectiveness of Tai Chi for improving balance and preventing falls in the older population–a review. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002 Apr;50(4):746-54. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50173.x. PMID: 11982679.

Loewenthal J, Berning MJ, Wayne PM, Eckstrom E, Orkaby AR. Holistic frailty prevention: The promise of movement-based mind-body therapies. Aging Cell. 2024 Jan;23(1):e13986. doi: 10.1111/acel.13986. Epub 2023 Sep 12. PMID: 37698149; PMCID: PMC10776124.

Mind-Body Healthcare & the Relaxation Response:

• Harvard researcher and best-selling author of “The Relaxation Response.” Dr. Herbert Benson, explains how Mind-Body practices like Tai Chi and Qigong more effectively treat 60 to 90% of health issues than drug or surgical therapies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7JfC3_Zgc

Mobility:

Yiting , Liu Meng , Zhou Kaixiang , Dong Gengxin , Manor Brad , Bao Dapeng , Zhou Junhong, The comparison between effects of Taichi and conventional exercise on functional mobility and balance in healthy older adults: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Public Health, VOl, 11, 2023, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281144, DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281144.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Markwart, M., Felsenstein D, Mehta DH, Sethi S, Tsuchiyose E, Lydson M, Yeh GY, Hall DL. (Nov 2024). “Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health.

Wei Zhenya , Wu Heying , Cui Chong , Wang Zixu , Xiong Huazhong , Song Fujia , Ren Jixiang, Frontiers in Neurology Editorial Team. (Nov 2025). “Effectiveness and safety of exercise therapy in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.”  Volume 16 – 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1681990

Fricke-Comellas H, Heredia-Rizo AM, Casuso-Holgado MJ, Salas-González J, Fernández-Seguín LM. “Exploring the Effects of Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga on Fatigue, Mental Health, and Sleep Quality in Chronic Fatigue and Post-COVID Syndromes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis”. Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Oct 11;12(20):2020. doi:

Non-Hodgkins Lymphomahttps://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awae386/7908457

Liang H, Guo J, Li CG. Long-Term Complete Remission of a Patient With Double-Hit Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated by Chemoimmunotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Integr Cancer Ther. 2023 Jan-Dec;22:15347354221147515. doi: 10.1177/15347354221147515. PMID: 36722702; PMCID: PMC9900160. “Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a commonly used Chinese herb for lymphoma. A clinical study revealed that PV is an effective and safe herbal medicine for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when used alone or adjuvant to chemotherapy.”

Guo XM, Li JX, Yang XF. [Clinical observation on 112 cases with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated by Chinese herbs combined with chemotherapy]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997 Jun;17(6):325-7. Chinese. PMID: 9863121.

Vargas-Román K, De la Fuente-Solana EI, Cortés-Martín J, Sánchez-García JC, González-Vargas CJ, Díaz-Rodríguez L. Effect of a 16-Session Qigong Program in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 14;11(12):3421. doi: 10.3390/jcm11123421. PMID: 35743490; PMCID: PMC9225257.

Fischetti F, Greco G, Cataldi S, Minoia C, Loseto G, Guarini A. Effects of Physical Exercise Intervention on Psychological and Physical Fitness in Lymphoma Patients. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Jul 16;55(7):379. doi: 10.3390/medicina55070379. PMID: 31315290; PMCID: PMC6681308.

Parkinson’s Disease and Chinese Medicine:

•  Effects of Qigong Exercises on Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Follow-up Study. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Liu XL, Zhang YJ, Du XR, Ma YZ, Jiang RK, Chen SH, Wang YT. 2023; 8(1): 008; doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2301008.

• The Effect of the Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis. Wang Z, Wang T, Sheng B, Song W, Ji P. Comput Math Methods Med. 2022 Apr 8;2022:4134931. doi: 10.1155/2022/4134931.PMCID: PMC9012614.

• Effects of tai chi and Qigong on cognition in neurological disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Yuxin Wang, Qi Zhang, Fei Li, Qi Li, Yi Jin, Geriatric Nursing,Volume 46,2 022,Pages 166-177,ISSN 0197-4572, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.05.014, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457222001343. Tai chi and Qigong were effective interventions to improve cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.

• Clinical Effectiveness of acupuncture on Parkinson’s Disease: Lun s. & Lim S., 2017, link from Pub Med Central, a meta-analysis,

• The impact of Tai Chi and Qigong mind-body exercises on motor and non-motor function and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Song R, Grabowska W, Park M, Osypiuk K, Vergara-Diaz GP, Bonato P, et al. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2017; 41: 3-13. [CrossRef]

• Effect of Health Qigong Exercise on Relieving Symptoms of Parkinson’ disease, Liu, X .& Wang, Y. , 2016, January 2016, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2016(4):1-11.

• Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an Adjunct Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2015, Zhang, G, Xiong, N. , Plos One Open access

• The effect of Tai Chi on functional mobility, balance and falls in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews, Aras, b, Seyyar, G., Oznur Fidan, Ertugrul Colak, et al, 2021, Pub Med., DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.12.002

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Qigong and Tai Chi for depressive symptoms, 2015, Liu, X, Clark, J.Comp Ther. Med

• A randomized controlled trial of Tai Chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese. Clinical interventions in aging, Nguen, M., & Kruse, a. (2012). Pub med, DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S32600

• The Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Underlying the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, Li, X, Zhang, et.al., 2017, Front Parmacol 8:634

• Law NY, Li JX. Effects of a 12-week online Tai Chi intervention on gait and postural stability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Sports Med Health Sci. 2023 Jul 11;5(3):239-244. doi: 10.1016/j.smhs.2023.07.004. PMID: 37753420; PMCID: PMC10518795.

• Li Q, Liu J, Dai F, Dai F. Tai Chi versus routine exercise in patients with early- or mild-stage Parkinson’s disease: a retrospective cohort analysis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2020 Feb 10;53(2):e9171. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20199171. PMID: 32049101; PMCID: PMC7013627.

Other Treatment Modalities and Research for Parkinsons:

• New Findings add to Evidence of Immune System Role in Parkinson’s Disease, Michael Fox Foundation, 2026. Gregory P. Williams,^1,2 Antoine Freuchet,^1,2 Tanner Michaelis, et al, PINK1 is a target of T cell responses in Parkinson’s disease, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Dec 17,2024. David Sulzer, Dritan Agalliu, Study adds to evidence that Parkinson’s Starts in the Gut, Aug 18, 2023 Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Francesca Garreti, Conner Monahan, et al, Interaction of an α-synuclein epitope with HLA-DRB1^∗15:01 triggers enteric features in mice reminiscent of prodromal Parkinson’s disease, Neuron, Nov 01, 2023.

• Michael J. Fox Foundation Research News

• Focused Ultrasound Can Bring Relief for Parkinson’s Patients, AARP; Three-year follow-up of prospective trial of focused ultrasound thalamotomy for essential tremor, 2019, Halpern, C, Santini, V, et al, Pub. Med, Randomized Controlled Trial.

•  Levodopa-induced Dyskinesia: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Medical Management. Pandey S, Srivanitchapoom P. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):190-198. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_239_17. PMID: 28904447; PMCID: PMC5586110.

Long-Term Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods and Prodromal Features of Parkinson Disease, Peilu Wang,  Xiao Chen, Muzi Na, Mario H. Flores-Torresm Kjetil Bjornevik Xuehong Zhang, Xiqun Chen, Neha Khandpur, Sinara LauriniRossato, Fang Fang Zhang, Alberto Ascherio, and Xiang Gao. Neurology, June 10, 2025 issue, 104 (11), https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213562.

• Naturopathic Approaches to Parkinson’s Disease, Wong, B.,Naturopathic Currents, 8/5/14.

• Physiotherapy in Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Present Treatment Modalities, 2020, Radder, D. Lime, A. et al., Pub Med.

• Mucuna pruriens a natural remedy for Parkinson’s Disease?, APDA public website. Or Pub Med research: Cilia R, Laguna J, Cassani E, Cereda E, Raspini B, Barichella M, Pezzoli G. Daily intake of Mucuna pruriens in advanced Parkinson’s disease: A 16-week, noninferiority, randomized, crossover, pilot study. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2018 Apr;49:60-66. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.01.014. Epub 2018 Jan 11. PMID: 29352722.

• Ketamine Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Treatment-Linked Dyskinesia, Neuroscience News, 1/3/25; from Vishwanath, A et al, Brain, Decoupling of motor cortex to movement in Parkinson’s dyskinesia rescued by sub-anaesthetic ketamine, 11/25/24.

• A Report of 10 cases of Parkinson’s Disease cured by Xifengzhizhan pills and Xifengzhizhan capsules, 2020, Weifan, W, Jour of Brain and Neurology, Vol 3 Issue 1. Note: For studies like this that report cures, please be circumspect about research methodology issues. For example please see the peer reviewed articles below on research methodology considerations.

• Mayer, M. (1999).Qigong and hypertension: A critique of research, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 5(4), 371-382.

• Mayer, M. (2003). Qigong clinical studies. In W. B. Jonas (Ed.), Healing, intention, and energy medicine (pp. 121-137). England: Churchill Livingston.

• Mayer, M. (2010). Hypertension: An integral bodymind healing approach . Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine (Peer Reviewed). Also available on this website as an on-line Webinar: Click here.

• Wayne PM, Kaptchuk T. J2008). Challenges inherent to Tai Chi research: part I—Tai Chi as a complex multicomponent intervention, J. Altern. Complement. Med. 14, 95–102. 10.1089/acm.2007.7170A [PubMed]

• Wayne PM, Kaptchuk TJ. Challenges inherent to t’ai chi research: part II-defining the intervention and optimal study design. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Mar;14(2):191-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.7170b. PMID: 18446928.

Sarcopenia (Skeletal muscle disorder—loss of muscle mass)

• Niu K, Liu YL, Yang F, Wang Y, Zhou XZ, Qu Q. Efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise for sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Neurosci. 2022 Dec 22;16:1094054. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1094054. PMID: 36620459; PMCID: PMC9813668.

Stroke:

Imagining Tai Chi “Cloud Hands” Can Improve Stroke Recovery, https://amtaichi.org/2026/03/imagining-tai-chi-cloud-hands-can-improve-stroke-recovery/, BMC Complementary Medicien and Therapies, March 2026.

• Moonkyoung Park ,Rhayun Song  , Kyoungok Ju , et al, (2022), Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on the mobility of stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials, Plos One, Published: November 17, 2022https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277541.

• Ching-Hsiang Chen1, Kuo-Sheng Hung2, Yu-Chu Chung3 and Mei-Ling Yeh, (2019), Mind–body interactive qigong improves physical and mental aspects of quality of life in inpatients with stroke: A randomized control study, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515119860232

• Zhang L, Zhang L, Yu X, Zhou H, Ding Y, Wang J. Effect of Tai Chi Yunshou training on the balance and motor functions of stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Neurol. 2023 May 12;14:1178234. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1178234. PMID: 37251239; PMCID: PMC10213663.

Jiang LH, Zhao LJ, Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhang SC, Cong WQ, Qi R. Effectiveness of Tai Chi Yunshou motor imagery training for hemiplegic upper extremity motor function in poststroke patients: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Trials. 2022 Apr 21;23(1):329. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06283-z. PMID: 35449109; PMCID: PMC9022298.

Research on Energy Psychology:

• While energy psychology as a field is still relatively young, its evidence base continues to grow in both quantity and quality. 

• As of February 2022, 70+ randomized control trials, over 55 pre-post outcome studies, 5 meta-analyses and 19 systematic reviews have been published on EP methods in English-speaking, peer-reviewed journals. In addition, over 80 research studies have been published in non-English journals. These modalities have been researched by more than 200 investigators in over 12 countries.

The results of these studies have been published in more than 15 different peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease and the APA journals Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training and Review of General Psychology. While questions about mechanism remain – specifically how these techniques work - a robust and growing body of research continues to document their effectiveness. 

• Energy psychology is a mind-body approach. The next frontier of EP research involves exploring the mechanisms of action of these modalities and investigating concurrent physiological changes using such tools as qEEG and fMRI and PET scans, and documenting changes in cortisol levels, gene expression and immunological function (to date, research has shown these changes to be positive).  

• A recent article by David Feinstein reported,“….The review derives 6 premises about the method’s efficacy, speed, durability, and physiologic effects that have enough empirical support …. in delineating and making claims about the approach. These include that acu-point tapping protocols (a) are effective in treating a range of clinical conditions, (b) are rapid compared to conventional treatments, (c) lead to durable benefits, (d) produce changes in biologic markers that corroborate the subjective assessments of clients, (e) are a critical ingredient for the demonstrated clinical effects and (f) send signals that can increase or decrease arousal in specific areas of the brain.” 

“Further consideration of the mechanisms that lead to the reported rapid, durable outcomes suggest that the approach has an unusual capacity for revising outdated mental models….” Published in Advances in Mind Body Medicine, Spring 2021,35(2). 

Reprinted from the ACEP website. For a more comprehensive view of The Science behind Energy Psychology see: https://www.energypsych.org/researchdb8c71b7

• Forbes Magazine, Emily Laurence (Oct .25, 2022) published an article further moving EP into the Mainstream of public awareness and clinical practice, “EFT Tapping: What you need to know.”

Key articles on Energy Psychology by David Feinstein, Ph.D.*:

• Feinstein, D. (2024, April 25). The Real Reasons Energy Psychology Is Proving to Be Durable: Rejoinder to “Acupressure in Psychotherapy as an Unsinkable Rubber Duck, Reply to Feinstein (2023)”. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ysg6u

• Boness, C. L., Pfund, R. A., & Tolin, D. (2023, August 1). Acupressure in Psychotherapy as an Unsinkable Rubber Duck: A reply to Feinstein (2023). https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000315

• Feinstein, D. (2022). Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000283, https://www.growkudos.com/publications/10.1037%25252Fint0000283/reader. The integration of techniques from acupressure into conventional psychotherapy has been the subject of more than 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, including over 125 clinical trials. This review finds that this evidence shows the approach to be not only effective, but unusually rapid and that the improvements are durable. The mechanisms that lead to these outcomes, implications for clinicians, and directions for future research are all discussed.

• Feinstein, D. (2019). Energy psychology: Efficacy, speed, mechanisms, Elsevier, Vol 15, Issue 5, Sept, pp. 340-351. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830718303513)

• Feinstein, D. (2012). Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence of efficacy. Review of General Psychology, 16, 364-380. 

• Feinstein, D. (2008b). Energy psychology in disaster relief. Traumatology. 14(1), 124–137.

* To learn how Dr Mayer’s approach includes but expands upon the traditional tapping methods of energy psychology (Click here  to view the originally published in the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology Newsletter) For a more in-depth comparison, please see Dr Mayer’s book Energy Psychology: Self-healing Methods for Bodymind Health (North Atlantic/Random House, 2009, republished by Bodymind Healing Publications, 2022). Or Click here to learn more or schedule a BMH Energy Psychology session oriented to your specific needs.

Selected references for The Efficacy of Tai Chi, Qigong and Energy Psychology, plus other related health references ( exercise, pharmaceuticals, etc). 

Altheimer’s/Dementia and Exercise: R.C. Gutierre, P.R. Rocha, A.L. Graciani, A.A. Coppi, R.M. Arida,
Tau, amyloid, iron, oligodendrocytes ferroptosis, and inflammaging in the hippocampal formation of aged rats submitted to an aerobic exercise program,
Brain Research,Volume 1850,2025, Layperson’s Version: Mercola.com, March 21, 2025, How Aerobic Exercise Like Walking Protects Against Dementia

Anxiety, Complementary health approaches reviewed by the NIH:

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/anxiety-and-complementary-health-approaches?nav=govd, EFT is now recognized as a “Complementary Health Approach for Anxiety”  in the clinical guideline digests for the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and integrative health approaches. Look for  “EFT and Acupoint Tapping”  under “Other Psychological and Physical Approaches”).

Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, et al. Clinical EFT (emotional freedom techniques) improves multiple physiological markers of health. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2019;24:2515690X18823691.

Sharma M, Haider T. Tai chi as an alternative and complimentary therapy for anxiety: a systematic review. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2015;20(2):143-153.

Cancer

Yang, J., Yamashita-Kanemaru, Y., Morris, B.I. et al. Aspirin prevents metastasis by limiting platelet TXA₂ suppression of T cell immunity. Nature 640, 1052–1061 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08626-7. Also see Mercola article which is a summary of this article.

Meditation (General): Dangers

Farias M,  Maraldi E,  Wallenkampf KC,  Lucchetti G. Adverse events in meditation practices and meditation-based therapies: a systematic review, 21 August 2020,Wiley online Library, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, First published: 21 August 2020, irst published: 21 August 2020,
irst published: 21 August 2020. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acps.13225

Montero-Marin J, Allwood M, Ball S, et al, School-based mindfulness training in early adolescence: what works, for whom and how in the MYRIAD trial?BMJ Ment Health 2022;25:117-124.https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/25/3/117

Pain:

Stapleton, P., Baumann, O., O’Keefe, T., & Bhuta, S. (2022). Neural changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 49, 101653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101653. “24 adults reporting persistent chronic pain took part in a six-week online group program that utilized a tapping protocol for pain management. Changes in the resting state fMRI from pre- to post-treatment were observed in the medial prefrontal cortex, anarea that modulates pain, and in the bilateral grey matter regions of the posterior cingulate cortex and thalamus, both of which are associated with the regulation or exaggeration of pain. These changes corresponded with significant reductions in the subjective intensity of the pain and the extent to which it disrupted daily activities.” (Feinstein, 2024).

Stapleton P, Wilson C, Uechtritz N, Stewart M, McCosker M, O’Keefe T, Blanchard M. A randomized clinical trial of emotional freedom techniques for chronic pain: Live versus self-paced delivery with 6-month follow-up. Eur J Pain. 2024 Oct 18. doi: 10.1002/ejp.4740. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39425257/

Kindly forwarded by John Freedom: Peta Stapleton and colleagues recently conducted a clinical trial exploring the efficacy of acupoint tapping for chronic pain.  One hundred forty-seven subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention/EFT group or a waitlist control group.  The EFT group received 6 weeks of the intervention, either live via ZOOM or self-paced via weekly modules.  The waitlist group received no treatment for six weeks before being re-assessed; and then received the same active EFT intervention, either live or self-paced, as the original intervention group. Subjects were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory, the Quality of Life Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Self-Rating Scale of Happiness and the Patient Health Questionnaire, before and after the intervention, and again six weeks later.

The analysis showed that pain severity and interference scores were significantly lower at the end of treatment for the EFT group compared to waitlist;  these scores were sustained at follow-up. (“Pain interference” refers to how much pain affects a person’s ability to do daily activities or enjoy life.)  There were no differences between the in-person or self-paced programs at follow-up for pain severity and interference. Somatic symptoms were significantly lower after EFT at the end of treatment. Quality of life scores were significantly higher after EFT, which were sustained at follow-up, for both the live and self-paced programs.  No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, happiness or satisfaction with life for either style of delivery, after the intervention or at follow-up.

The authors note:  “EFT significantly reduced chronic pain severity and interference, with no differences beween an online live program compared to an online self-paced program.  Both modes of delivery were equally effective, with result remaining significant at six-month follow up.  These findings highlight a body-based approach as a promising, accessible pain management strategy, and suggest that online programs may be part of the solution for chronic pain patients.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39425257

• Tu J, Shi G, Yan S, et al. Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(12):1417–1424. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5463

Parkinson’s

Bradley, E.R., Sakai, K., Fernandes-Osterhold, G. et al. Psilocybin therapy for mood dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: an open-label pilot trial. Neuropsychopharmacol.(2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-025-02097-0

Skin: Chinese Medicine

Chronic Urticaria (Hives): Bi, Chenhao MD^a; Jia, Yuqi MD^b; Wei, Fengqin PhD^a,*. Efficacy and safety of Xiaofeng powder in the treatment of chronic urticaria: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine 103(12):p e37305, March 22, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037305

Cheng HM, Chiang LC, Jan YM, Chen GW, Li TC. The efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal product (Xiao-Feng-San) for the treatment of refractory atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2011;155(2):141-8. doi: 10.1159/000318861. Epub 2010 Dec 22. PMID: 21196758.

Min S., Kim KW, Jung WM, et al., Acupuncture for Histamine-Induced Itch: Association With Increased Parasympathetic Tone and Connectivity of Putamen-Midcingulate Cortex, Frontiers, Vol 1, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00215

Yu, C., Zhang, P., Lv, Z. T., Li, J. J., Li, H. P., Wu, C. H., et al. (2015). Efficacy of acupuncture in itch: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical randomized controlled trials. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2015:208690. doi: 10.1155/2015/208690

S Elman , LS Hynan , V Gabriel , MJ Mayo (2011, March 1), The 5-D itch scale: a new measure of pruritus, Pub Med, Br J Dermatol., doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09586.x

Stephen Erickson, Brian S. Kim, Research Techniques Made Simple: Itch Measurement in Clinical Trials, Jour of Investigative Derm. Vol 139,Issue 2 Feb 2019 pp 264-269, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2018.12.004 

Sum CH, Ching J, Zhang H, Loo S, Lo CW, Lai MK, Cheong PK, Yu CL, Lin ZX. Integrated Chinese and western medicine interventions for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chin Med. 2021 Oct 10;16(1):101. doi: 10.1186/s13020-021-00506-2. PMID: 34629103; PMCID: PMC8504066.

Sleep & Meditation

Black DS, O’Reilly GA, Olmstead R, Breen EC, Irwin MR. Mindfulness meditation and improvement in sleep quality and daytime impairment among older adults with sleep disturbances: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Apr;175(4):494-501. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8081. PMID: 25686304; PMCID: PMC4407465.

Kaul P, Passafiume J, Sargent CR, O’Hara BF. Meditation acutely improves psychomotor vigilance, and may decrease sleep need. Behav Brain Funct. 2010 Jul 29;6:47. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-6-47. PMID: 20670413; PMCID: PMC2919439.

Rusch HL, Rosario M, Levison LM, Olivera A, Livingston WS, Wu T, Gill JM. The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Jun;1445(1):5-16. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13996. Epub 2018 Dec 21. PMID: 30575050; PMCID: PMC6557693.

Stand on one leg: (A basic training method of Tai Chi, Qigong, and the Animal Frolics)

• Rezaei A, Bhat SG, Cheng CH, Pignolo RJ, Lu L, et al. (2024) Age-related changes in gait, balance, and strength parameters: A cross-sectional study
PLOS ONE 19(10): e0310764. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310764

Stretching is a major staple of Tai Chi/Qigong. But even without Tai Chi/Qigong check out these three articles on how stretching was uniquely associated with lower risk for al-cause mortality:

Schuler, L (2024) Is Stretching now Underrated? Accumulating Research Says Yes, Medscape Psychiatry, Feb 27, 2024.

Sheehan CM, Li L. Associations of Exercise Types with All-Cause Mortality among U.S. Adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2020 Dec;52(12):2554-2562. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002406. PMID: 32520868.

Cho Y, Jang H, Kwon S, Oh H. Aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and flexibility physical activity and risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a population-based prospective cohort of Korean adults. BMC Public Health. 2023 Jun 14;23(1):1148. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15969-1. PMID: 37316812; PMCID: PMC10268385.