Qigong: What is it, who is it suitable for and what the research says
- Gil Barzilay
- Nov 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Qigong is an ancient practice in Chinese medicine that aims to cultivate life energy (Qi). It combines gentle and conscious movement, breathing, meditation and inner listening to improve the flow of energy in the body, calm the nervous system and strengthen the various body systems. It has been used in China for centuries both to maintain health and as part of the treatment of chronic and acute diseases.
The uniqueness of Qigong is that the movements are simple and accessible to almost anyone, but the impact can be very profound. It is suitable for people dealing with fatigue, stress, chronic pain, sleep difficulties, decreased flexibility or a sense of vitality, and also for those who want to invest in long-term health. Especially at the age of 40 and above, when the body begins to "tell" the story of the years, and metabolic diseases, joint pain and mental stress become common, Qigong can be a gentle, safe and effective tool that restores a sense of life, strength and calm to the body.
In recent decades, clinical studies and meta-analyses have examined how qigong practice affects blood pressure, diabetes, cancer-related fatigue, fibromyalgia, and more. The picture that emerges is that qigong is certainly a significant tool in an integrative program to address these challenges.
Qigong and hypertension
A systematic review published in Medicine in 2015 included 20 studies and 2,349 patients with hypertension. It was found that qigong practice significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control groups (no exercise or other intervention).
Follow-up studies also reported decreased stress, improved sleep, and a sense of calm – all indicators directly and indirectly related to high blood pressure.
A more recent meta-analysis showed that the longer the duration of practice (several weeks/months), the more significant the effect on blood pressure, which emphasizes the importance of persistence and not a "one-time course."
Qigong as support for cancer patients
A systematic review examining qigong and Tai Chi among cancer patients found significant improvements in quality of life (QoL) measures, reduced fatigue, improved sleep, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to control groups.
Some studies also measured physiological markers such as cortisol levels (stress hormone), immune system function, and inflammation indices; some found moderate improvements that supported the patients' sense of vitality.
Qigong Diabetes and Metabolic Health
Studies in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have shown that practicing Qigong several times a week for 12–24 weeks led to improvements in HbA1c levels, weight loss and waist circumference, and improved insulin sensitivity.
A meta-analysis published in 2023 and including several controlled studies showed that Qigong may improve measures of metabolic syndrome – waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and BMI.
Qigong Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
A randomized controlled trial that followed patients with fibromyalgia who practiced qigong found decreased pain, improved sleep quality, and reduced fatigue compared to a control group. Some participants reported being able to return to daily functioning.
Bibliographic list
Xiong X, Wang P, Li X, Zhang Y. Medicine. 2015 Jan;94(1):e352. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000000352. PMID: 25569652; PMCID: PMC4602820.
Ching, S.M., Mokshashri, N.R., Kannan, M.M. et al. BMC Complement Med Ther 21, 8 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03172-3
Zeng Y, Luo T, Xie H, Huang M, Cheng AS. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Feb;22(1):173-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.11.010.
Liu X, Miller YD, Burton NW, Chang JH, Brown WJ. Am J Prev Med. 2011 Aug;41(2):152-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.04.007. PMID: 21767722.
Tao S, Li Z. Frontiers in Physiology. 2023 ;14:1092480. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1092480.
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