「練氣」對於生活品質影響評估之隨機分派研究

Abstract

研究目的 氣與血是構成人體生命兩大元素，互為相變轉化，影響人體生理功能，其中以氣的作用更為顯著。「練氣」是藉呼吸吐納對人體的兩套自動動力系統「三焦系統」與「電生理傳導系統」作功。「三焦系統」掌管「氣」的運行，而「電生理傳導系統」即為《難經》所述之「心主別脈」，掌控「血」的流動。「練氣」的目的，是將人體的「氣」在自動動力系統中鍛鍊出來，使身體更健康、更強壯、更有功能。換言之，不只要練「氣」，更需維護自動動力系統，並提升它的效能，才能時時產生強勁的「氣」。因此本研究欲進一步嘗試證實練氣是否可廣泛提升一般民眾族群之生理與心理健康。 方法 本研究為平行設計的隨機臨床分派試驗。於2015年共邀請39位年齡介於20歲至65歲之成人，隨機分派至兩組：實驗組與對照組。實驗組在隨機分派後開始為期八週的練氣課程，對照組則在同期無任何介入措施；待實驗組練氣課程結束後才開始八週練氣，唯兩組在練氣前後均有前測、後測及兩個月後的評量，據此比較兩組個案前測及後測之差異，以及評估個案在練氣後所產生的變化。研究以練氣心得報告與拍照方式，記錄過程中每個人的轉變，同時使用「中文版生活品質量表（SF-36）」及「靈性量表」兩份問卷量表觀察受檢者之生活品質變化；統計方法採兩組獨立樣本t檢定比較練氣前後改變在兩組的差異，並進一步利用貝氏分析，納入前驅研究之結果增加統計檢定力。 結果 質性資料中明顯可見練氣影響人的容貌光澤、體態線條、神情情志；練氣在人體上的感受與變化有個別的差異性，會依身體健康狀況、對氣的敏感度與功法的領悟力、練習的毅力、體質天賦與因緣等而有所不同。量性結果發現練氣組的生活品質提升分數在八個健康面向與健康狀態改變都高於對照組，其中一般健康與健康狀態改變的提升在統計上達到顯著差異，這兩個面向在加入前驅研究的資訊、對照組練氣後的測量訊息及兩個月的效益均呈一致的改善成效，事後分佈均顯示在練氣後可提升生活品質的機率達到99%以上，其他面向也大多高於80%。在靈性提升的面向，研究結果顯示”內心平靜”、”生命有目標”及”內心深處找到安適” 事後分佈顯示練氣後提升的機率均大於95%。 結論 本研究利用隨機分派試驗證實練氣在一般健康、健康轉變面向的生活品質提升具有顯著的效果，對個案的靈性量表表現亦有所提升。練氣在長期持續效果的提升則需要更進一步的研究證實。 關鍵字：練氣、氣功、隨機分派試驗、生活品質、靈性

Background Qi and Blood are major elements consisting of human's life, which are interchangeable and mutually transformative influencing human's physiological functions, among which Qi serves significant function. 'Practicing Qi' is to enhance the performances of two automatic motion system existing within human body: 'the triple energizer system (San Jiao system)' and 'electro-physiological conduction system' through deep breathing exercises. The triple energizer system controls the circulation of Qi while the electro-physiological conduction system is described in “Nan Jing'(The Classics of Questioning) that the heart regulates the flow of blood. The purpose of Qi practice is to strengthen the Qi flowing within the automatic physiological system to make the body healthier, stronger and more functional. In other words, not only cultivating Qi, maintaining or even enhancing the automatic physiological systems so that strong Qi can be generated. The research attempts to solidify the connection between Qi practice and elevation of general public mental and physical health. Methods We conducted a parallel randomized controlled trial for the effect of “Qi Practice”. A total of 39 adults aged between 20 and 65 years were randomized into experimental and control groups (1:1) in 2015. The experimental group started the Qi training for 8 weeks after random assignment while the control group remained no intervention. The 8 weeks Qi training in the control group started after the experimental group had finished. Assessment was made before, after, and 2-month after Qi training. Written practice report and photographs during the 8-week training were used to record individual changes during training process. Two questionnaires, 'Chinese version of MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, SF-36” and “Spiritual Scale” were used to reflect life quality change. We used two sample independent t-test to compare the differences before and after Qi training between the two groups. Furthermore, Bayesian analyses were used to incorporate prior information from a pilot study, to include data after training practice in the control group, and to assess the difference two months after the training. Results The results shows that Qi practice affects people's appearance, complexion, body shape curve, expressions and spiritual awareness. The feelings and changes of Qi practice on human body have individual differences, depending on physical health, sensitivity to Qi, exercise methods, the comprehension, the perseverance of practice, physical talent and karma. The quality of life improvement scores of the experiment group were higher than those of the control group in the eight health aspects and health status changes. Among them, the improvement of general health and health status changes reached a statistically significant difference. These two aspects were added to the prior research information, the measurement information of the control group after qi training and the two-month benefit all showed consistent improvement results. The post-distribution showed that the probability of improving the quality of life after qi training was over 99%, and most of the other aspects were also higher than 80%. In the aspect of spiritual improvement, the result shows, after Qi practicing, the post-distribution probability of 'inner peace', 'life has a goal' and 'found comfort in the depths of the heart' is greater than 95%. Conclusions We used a randomized controlled trial to prove that Qi practice has a significant effect in improving the quality of life in general health and health changes, and it also improves the performance of the individual's spiritual scale. The improvement of long-term sustained effect of Qi training needs further research to confirm. Keywords Qi practice, Qi gong, randomized controlled trial, quality of life, spirituality