{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,20]],"date-time":"2026-04-20T13:46:33Z","timestamp":1776692793862,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]],"date-time":"2025-11-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1764288000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]],"date-time":"2025-11-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1764288000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Yanuck Family Trust"},{"name":"UC Davis Community Physicians Group"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Complement Med Ther"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Commonly known as \u201clong COVID\u201d, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is a chronic condition with no validated treatment that significantly impacts the quality of life of those affected. Qigong is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that may serve as a possible therapeutic approach for PASC. This study explored participants\u2019 experiences with qi, and changes in PASC symptoms, following participation in a clinical trial of group-based, combined external and internal qigong for individuals with PASC.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A qualitative study of 26 individuals who participated in a pilot feasibility trial of qigong for PASC symptoms was performed. Participants engaged in six weekly, two-hour sessions of external and internal qigong delivered in a group-based format. Upon completion of the intervention, all participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach to explore participants\u2019 perceptions and understanding of qi, qigong, and the overall impact of the sessions on their well-being and PASC symptoms.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Participants\u2019 understanding and explanations of qi varied. Almost all participants (92%) reported feeling qi during the sessions, and a variety of different sensations associated with perception of qi were described. Approximately three-quarters of participants experienced improvement in one or more PASC symptoms, most commonly fatigue, \u201cbrain fog\u201d, and sleep quality, and 85% reported improved well-being. Additionally, participants frequently cited the group-based nature of the intervention as a positive aspect of their experience.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The qigong intervention was well-received by participants, with the majority perceiving qi and reporting improvements in PASC-related symptoms and overall well-being. These findings suggest that many individuals may be able to perceive qi and that group-delivered combined external and internal qigong may be a beneficial complementary therapy for managing PASC symptoms. As this is a pilot study with a small sample size and a single qigong teacher, results must be interpreted cautiously. Further research is warranted to evaluate the effects of qigong in this patient population.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Trial registration<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov.\u00a0Trial Registration Number: NCT05675995.\u00a0Date of Registration: January 4, 2023.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]],"date-time":"2025-11-28T11:24:54Z","timestamp":1764329094000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Experiences with Qi and changes in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) symptoms with qigong: a qualitative analysis of participants\u2019 experiences in a pilot clinical trial"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"Monica","family":"Joy","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nicole","family":"Adams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Michael","family":"Yanuck","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Michelle L.","family":"Dossett","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"5161_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2024.11370","volume":"332","author":"Z Fang","year":"2024","unstructured":"Fang Z, Ahrnsbrak R, Rekito A. Evidence mounts that about 7% of US adults have had long COVID. JAMA. 2024;332:5.","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"5161_CR2","unstructured":"Chippa V, Aleem A, Anjum F. In: StatPearls, editor. Postacute coronavirus (COVID-19) syndrome. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK570608\/."},{"key":"5161_CR3","unstructured":"Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the assistant secretary for health. National Research Action Plan on Long COVID; 2022."},{"key":"5161_CR4","volume-title":"Board on global health, health and medicine Division, National academies of Sciences, Engineering, and medicine. A long COVID definition: A Chronic, systemic disease state with profound consequences","author":"Committee on Examining the Working Definition for Long COVID, Board on Health Sciences Policy","year":"2024","unstructured":"Committee on Examining the Working Definition for Long COVID, Board on Health Sciences Policy. Board on global health, health and medicine Division, National academies of Sciences, Engineering, and medicine. A long COVID definition: A Chronic, systemic disease state with profound consequences. Washington, D.C.: National Academies; 2024."},{"key":"5161_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2024.1430444","volume":"11","author":"TK Dietz","year":"2024","unstructured":"Dietz TK, Brondstater KN. Long COVID management: a mini review of current recommendations and underutilized modalities. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1430444.","journal-title":"Front Med (Lausanne)"},{"key":"5161_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamahealthforum.2022.1809","volume":"3","author":"DM Cutler","year":"2022","unstructured":"Cutler DM. The costs of long COVID. JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3:e221809.","journal-title":"JAMA Health Forum"},{"key":"5161_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/21649561211056597","volume":"10","author":"A Roth","year":"2021","unstructured":"Roth A, Chan PS, Jonas W. Addressing the long COVID crisis: integrative health and long COVID. Glob Adv Health Med. 2021;10:216495612110565.","journal-title":"Glob Adv Health Med"},{"key":"5161_CR8","unstructured":"Carter ES. Acupuncture for the adjunct treatment of long COVID. AAFP. 2023;108(4).\u00a0https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37843933."},{"key":"5161_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"677","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmr.2023.03.006","volume":"34","author":"IM Estores","year":"2023","unstructured":"Estores IM, Ackerman P. Integrative medicine in long COVID. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023;34:677\u201388.","journal-title":"Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am"},{"key":"5161_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1370\/afm.2817","volume":"20","author":"Y Lin","year":"2022","unstructured":"Lin Y, Saper R, Patil SJ. Long COVID shared medical appointments: lifestyle and mind-body medicine with peer support. Ann Fam Med. 2022;20:383.","journal-title":"Ann Fam Med"},{"key":"5161_CR11","unstructured":"O N JCPBBC. P S, S D. A potential therapeutic approach according to traditional Thai medicine theory for Post-COVID-19 syndrome treatment: an observational Retrospective Clinical Study. PubMed."},{"key":"5161_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.827645","volume":"10","author":"JP Castro","year":"2022","unstructured":"Castro JP, Kierkegaard M, Zeitelhofer M. A call to use the multicomponent exercise Tai Chi to improve recovery from COVID-19 and long COVID. Front Public Health. 2022;10:827645.","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"issue":"8","key":"5161_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"812","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jagp.2020.05.012","volume":"28","author":"F Feng","year":"2020","unstructured":"Feng F, Tuchman S, Denninger JW, Fricchione GL, Yeung A. Qigong for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of COVID-19 infection in older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020;28(8):812\u20139.","journal-title":"Am J Geriatr Psychiatry"},{"key":"5161_CR14","unstructured":"J L, J W, X L, H S. The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in COVID-19: Theory, Initial Clinical Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications. PubMed."},{"key":"5161_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Perspectives, measurability and effects of Non-Contact Biofield-Based practices: A Narrative Review of Quantitative Research. 2021;18(12):6397.\u00a0https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34199174\/. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph18126397.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18126397"},{"key":"5161_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"827","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpain.2007.05.016","volume":"8","author":"MS Lee","year":"2007","unstructured":"Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. External qigong for pain conditions: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. J Pain. 2007;8:827\u201331.","journal-title":"J Pain"},{"key":"5161_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1525","DOI":"10.1142\/S0192415X15500871","volume":"43","author":"Z Bai","year":"2015","unstructured":"Bai Z, Guan Z, Fan Y, Liu C, Yang K, Ma B, et al. The effects of qigong for adults with chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Chin Med. 2015;43:1525\u201339.","journal-title":"Am J Chin Med"},{"key":"5161_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.4278\/ajhp.081013-LIT-248","volume":"24","author":"R Jahnke","year":"2010","unstructured":"Jahnke R, Larkey L, Rogers C, Etnier J, Lin F. A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and Tai Chi. Am J Health Promot. 2010;24:e1\u201325.","journal-title":"Am J Health Promot"},{"issue":"1suppl","key":"5161_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7453\/gahmj.2015.014.suppl","volume":"4","author":"SL Warber","year":"2015","unstructured":"Warber SL, Bruyere RL, Weintrub K. A consideration of the perspectives of healing practitioners on research into energy healing. Glob Adv Health Med. 2015;4(1suppl):gahmj2015014suppl.","journal-title":"Glob Adv Health Med"},{"key":"5161_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1245","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000388","volume":"89","author":"BC O\u2019Brien","year":"2014","unstructured":"O\u2019Brien BC, Harris IB, Beckman TJ, Reed DA, Cook DA. Standards for reporting qualitative research: a synthesis of recommendations. Acad Med. 2014;89:1245\u201351.","journal-title":"Acad Med"},{"key":"5161_CR21","unstructured":"Yanuck M, BioEnerQi. Bioenergy Publishing; 2024."},{"key":"5161_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1277","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732305276687","volume":"15","author":"H-F Hsieh","year":"2005","unstructured":"Hsieh H-F, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res. 2005;15:1277\u201388.","journal-title":"Qual Health Res"},{"key":"5161_CR23","unstructured":"CDC, Signs, Symptoms of Long COVID. COVID-19. 2024. https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/long-term-effects\/long-covid-signs-symptoms.html. Accessed 10 Sep 2024."},{"key":"5161_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/15347354241253847","volume":"23","author":"S Singh","year":"2024","unstructured":"Singh S, Nguyen T, Deleemans J, Oberoi D, Piedalue K-A, Carlson LE. A phenomenological qualitative exploration of mind-body therapy use and effectiveness among young, middle, and older adult cancer survivors. Integr Cancer Ther. 2024;23:15347354241253847.","journal-title":"Integr Cancer Ther"},{"key":"5161_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1177\/1742395318782377","volume":"16","author":"RE Bolton","year":"2020","unstructured":"Bolton RE, Fix GM, VanDeusen Lukas C, Elwy AR, Bokhour BG. Biopsychosocial benefits of movement-based complementary and integrative health therapies for patients with chronic conditions. Chronic Illn. 2020;16:41\u201354.","journal-title":"Chronic Illn"},{"key":"5161_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-015-0611-x","volume":"15","author":"A Soundy","year":"2015","unstructured":"Soundy A, Lee RT, Kingstone T, Singh S, Shah PR, Roberts L. Experiences of healing therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:106.","journal-title":"BMC Complement Altern Med"},{"key":"5161_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"739","DOI":"10.1089\/jicm.2022.0477","volume":"28","author":"NL Dyer","year":"2022","unstructured":"Dyer NL, Ali A, Baldwin AL, Kowalski S, Rand WL. An evaluation of the subjective experience of receiving reiki: qualitative results from a pragmatic effectiveness study. J Integr Complement Med. 2022;28:739\u201348.","journal-title":"J Integr Complement Med"},{"key":"5161_CR28","unstructured":"Mb MB, Kkk MSN, Sn S. J. Understanding pranic energy experiences: A qualitative approach. Adv Mind Body Med. 2023;37."},{"key":"5161_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare11233087","volume":"11","author":"AD Brueggemann","year":"2023","unstructured":"Brueggemann AD, Ekwonye AU. Perceived benefits of Magdalena energy healing sessions: an exploratory study of clients\u2019 perspectives. Healthcare. 2023;11:3087.","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"5161_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Jrd C, Ss M, Rg N, Fhde S, Dr P, Sg O et al. Reiki for promotion of health and sleep quality in hospital nursing professionals. PubMed. 2022. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1590\/0034-7167-2021-0535","DOI":"10.1590\/0034-7167-2021-0535"},{"key":"5161_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1515\/jcim-2024-0027","author":"MK Trivedi","year":"2024","unstructured":"Trivedi MK, Branton A, Trivedi D, Mondal S, Jana S. The use of biofield energy therapy as complementary and alternative medicine in human health care system: a narrative review and potential mechanisms. J Complement Integr Med. 2024. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/jcim-2024-0027.","journal-title":"J Complement Integr Med"},{"key":"5161_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e363","DOI":"10.3399\/bjgp19X702233","volume":"69","author":"M Jackson","year":"2019","unstructured":"Jackson M, Jones D, Dyson J, Macleod U. Facilitated group work for people with long-term conditions: a systematic review of benefits from studies of group-work interventions. Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69:e363-72.","journal-title":"Br J Gen Pract"},{"key":"5161_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.70071","author":"J Eberhardt","year":"2024","unstructured":"Eberhardt J, Gibson B, Portman RM, Carthy N, Rowlands S, Batchelor R, et al. Psychosocial aspects of the lived experience of long COVID: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Health Expect. 2024. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hex.70071.","journal-title":"Health Expect"}],"container-title":["BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]],"date-time":"2025-11-28T11:25:09Z","timestamp":1764329109000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]},"references-count":33,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["5161"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12906-025-05161-w","relation":{},"ISSN":["2662-7671"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2662-7671","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2 December 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 October 2025","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"28 November 2025","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"This study was approved by the UC Davis Institutional Review Board. All participants provided written informed consent prior to participating in any research activities.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not required.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"MY is the author of a book on qigong. MLD has received royalties from UpToDate for an unrelated topic.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"434"}}