Effectiveness of Tai Chi Qi Qong Program for Thai Women with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Control Trial

Despite their increasing cancer survival rate, many women with breast cancer still live with suboptimal health and quality of life. This randomized control trial aimed to determine the effects of the Tai Chi Qi Qong program on self-esteem, fatigue, cortisol, and quality of life in Thai women with breast cancer. The sample included 30 Thai women with breast cancer who, after treatment completion, routinely visited the breast clinic in a university hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The participants meeting eligibility criteria were randomly assigned into an experimental group and received the program, in addition to usual care, and the control group received only usual care (n = 15 per group). Data were collected at baseline (T-1), 6th week (T-2), and 12th week (T-3) after program implementation. Instruments for data collection were the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Fatigue Symptom Inventory, cortisol, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to test the program efficacy. The results revealed that the experimental group had statistically significant improvement in self-esteem, fatigue, cortical, and quality of life compared with control group between 6th week and 12th week after baseline data was controlled. The findings indicated that the Tai Chi Qi Qong is a beneficial program for Thai woman with breast cancer. Nurses should integrate this program in their practice to promote health and quality of life in Thai women with breast cancer. However, future studies are required including a randomized control trial with a larger sample size.