There were “no significant differences for pain, neck pain, disability, and quality of life,” according to researchers at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany.

First, the details.

• 117 elderly patients with chronic neck pain (average duration 19 years) were randomly assigned to treatment.
  • Qigong (24 sessions over 3 months)
  • Exercise (24 sessions over 3 months)
  • Waiting list control
• Patients completed standardized questionnaires at the start of the study and after 3 and 6 months.

And, the results.

• After 3 months, there were no differences in neck pain and disability between any of the groups.
• No differences after 6 months between groups.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Further studies should include outcomes more suitable to elderly patients, longer treatment, and patients with less chronic pain.”

2/24/09 19:53 JR