Nurse-Led Qigong Program Improves Exercise Capacity, Quality of Life, and Fatigue in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: – Despite advances in pharmacologic and device-based treatments, heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. This results in substantial medical costs and significant patient suffering, underscoring the need for complementary interventions that can improve symptom management and well-being beyond conventional treatment. Objectives: – To evaluate the effects of Chan-Chuang Qigong on exercise capacity, quality of life, fatigue, and cardiac function in patients with heart failure. Methods: – This randomized controlled trial recruited 72 patients and randomly assigned them to the qigong group, which received regular care and practiced Chan-Chuang Qigong for 12 weeks, or the control group, which received only regular care. Outcomes were measured using the 6-minute walking test, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, the Piper Fatigue Scale, left ventricular ejection fraction, and N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide. Data were collected at baseline before the intervention and at Weeks 4, 8, and/or 12 during the intervention. Results: – The qigong group demonstrated significant improvements in 6-minute walking test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, and Piper Fatigue Scale compared with the control group and baseline at Weeks 4, 8, and 12 (P < .05), but not in left ventricular ejection fraction and N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (P > .05). Conclusions: – Chan-Chuang Qigong effectively improved exercise capacity, quality of life, and fatigue in patients with heart failure. The lack of notable improvement in cardiac function may reflect the effects of ongoing regular medical treatments. Future research should extend the exercise period to detect potential changes in key cardiac metrics and reduce measurement variability.