Effects of Qigong Therapy in MS Patients

NCT07473180 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Okuculmez
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chinese medical exercises (Qigong) are part of traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts, consisting of exercise sequences originating from China. These exercises have been used in China for thousands of years to maintain physical and psychological health and treat diseases. They have increasingly become a focus of modern medicine. Qigong is a practice that integrates concentration, visualization, breathing, posture, and movement techniques. Its goal is to enhance, activate, develop, and balance life energy (Qi). Study Type: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Upon reviewing the literature, no study was found comparing the practical application of Qigong exercises with conventional rehabilitation methods. This study aims to investigate the effects of Qigong on the overall well-being and balance of Multipl Sklerosis patients.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis; Qigong; Complementary Therapies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29)

  The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) is a widely used, patient-reported questionnaire designed to assess the physical and psychological impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on an individual's daily life. Developed by Hobart and colleagues in 2001, the MSIS-29 consists of 29 items divided into two subscales: 20 items addressing the physical impact of MS and 9 items evaluating the psychological impact. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "not at all" to "extremely," and the total scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate greater impact. The MSIS-29 is valued for its reliability, sensitivity to change, and ease of use in both clinical practice and research settings. It provides a comprehensive view of how MS affects a patient's quality of life.

  before therapy and after therapy (6 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• The Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

  Before therapy and after therapy (6 weeks)

• Barthel Index

  Before therapy and after therapy (6 weeks)

• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

  Before therapy and after therapy (6 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Conventional Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients in the conventional rehabilitation group will participate in a rehabilitation program at least 3 days a week, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. The program will include neurophysiological exercises, strengthening exercises, and balance and coordination exercises, performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. There will be warm-up and cool-down periods before and after each session.

Other: Conventional rehabilitation therapy

Qi gong

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will take 3 times a week Qi gong therapy with classical conventional therapy. The protocol includes eight traditional movements, such as: * Raising Hands to the Sky, * Drawing the Bow to Hit the Hawk, * Separating Heaven and Earth, * The Wise Owl Looking Back, * Shaking the Head and Tail, * Bending to Touch the Feet, * Clenching Fists and Gathering Energy with a Fierce Look, * Shaking the Body by Hitting the Heels. Each exercise sequence will be performed with warm-up (deep breathing) and cool-down (focusing on energy flow). The Qigong group will participate in a 45-minute additional Qigong session (three times a week), led by a physiotherapist, after their conventional rehabilitation program.

Other: Qi gong Baduanjin Exercises

Interventions

Conventional rehabilitation therapy OTHER

: Patients in the conventional rehabilitation group will participate in a rehabilitation program 3 days a week, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. The program will include neurophysiological exercises, strengthening exercises, and balance and coordination exercises, performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. There will be warm-up and cool-down periods before and after each session.

Conventional Therapy

Qi gong Baduanjin Exercises OTHER

The protocol includes eight traditional movements, such as: * Raising Hands to the Sky (9 repeats) * Drawing the Bow to Hit the Hawk (9 left, 9 right repeats) * Separating Heaven and Earth (9 repeats) * The Wise Owl Looking Back. (9 left, 9 right repeats) * Shaking the Head and Tail (9 left, 9 right repeats) * Bending to Touch the Feet (9 repeats) * Clenching Fists and Gathering Energy with a Fierce Look (9 left, 9 right repeats) * Shaking the Body by Hitting the Heels (9 repeats) Each exercise sequence will be performed with warm-up (deep breathing) and cool-down (focusing on energy flow). The Qigong group will participate in a Qigong session 3 days a week,30-45 minutes, led by a physiotherapist, after their conventional rehabilitation program (3 days a week, with each session lasting 1,5 hours).Breathing in and out will be performed in coordination with qigong movements.

Qi gong

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: 18-65 years
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with MS according to McDonald criteria,
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤5, able to walk independently or with minimal assistance,
• No relapse or treatment changes in the last 30 days.

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in a mixed exercise program containing traditional Chinese exercises (Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, etc.) in the past 3 months,
• Severe cardiopulmonary or musculoskeletal problems that could contraindicate traditional Chinese exercises,
• Communication barriers due to cognitive issues,
• Progressive comorbid conditions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baskent University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Baskent University Medical faculty

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Study Officials

• Sevgi Ikbali Afsar, Professor

  Baskent University Hospital Ankara

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Randomized controlled clinical trial There are two arms Conventional Rehabilitation Protocol: Patients in the conventional rehabilitation group will participate in a rehabilitation program at least 3 days a week, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. The program will include neurophysiological exercises, strengthening exercises, and balance and coordination exercises, performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. There will be warm-up and cool-down periods before and after each session. Chinese Medicine Exercise Protocol: The protocol includes eight traditional movements, such as: * Raising Hands to the Sky, * Drawing the Bow to Hit the Hawk, * Separating Heaven and Earth, * The Wise Owl Looking Back, * Shaking the Head and Tail, * Bending to Touch the Feet, * Clenching Fists and Gathering Energy with a Fierce Look, * Shaking the Body by Hitting the Heels. Each exercise sequence will be performed with warm-up (deep breathing) and cool-down (focusing on energy flow). The Qigong group will
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asist. prof. dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2025
• First Posted: March 16, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)