| Background Previous studies of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others in US have shown that between one and four million Americans suffer from CFS. Studies in Hong Kong showed that the point prevalence of CFS among adults of 20 to 50 years old was found to be 6.4%. Western treatments and medications for CFS are often associated with limited clinical benefits. In Oct 2009 to Jan 2010, a study was conducted by Center on Behavioral Health, HKU, to study the effectiveness of Qigong exercise intervention on the patients of CFS (Phase I). It showed that the qigong exercise intervention was effective on improving the fatigue severity of people with CFS. Study Objectives 1) To develop tools to document the quantity and quality of Baduanjin qigong; 2) To evaluate the efficacy of exercise qigong (Baduanjin) on reducing fatigue level of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); 3) To explore the effect of Baduanjin qigong on telomerase activity and cortisol level. Conclusions 1) Significant differences in body, mind and spirit measurements after Qigong were found between groups. A significant correlation between fatigue level and body-mind-spirit wellbeing is found 2) Qigong exercise may significantly improve the MCS but not PCS of QOL of CFS patients. The changes in fatigue, anxiety and spiritual wellbeing were significant determinants for the improvement of QOL MCS. 3) Qigong may reduce fatigue level and HPA axis activity and increase telomerase activity. Improvement in fatigue may possible relate to the changes in HAP activity while the mechanism of changes in telomerase activity needs further investigation. |