Effects of Dǎoyǐn Qìgōng in postpolio syndrome patients with cold intolerance

Abstract

Postpolio syndrome (PPS) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness due to former infection with poliomyelitis and can be associated with other symptoms such as cold intolerance (CI). Dǎoyǐn Qìgōng (DQ) is a technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine that impacts the circulation of energy and blood. Objective: It was to verify the effects of DQ in PPS patients complaining of cold intolerance. Methods: Ten PPS patients were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) adapted for CI before and after intervention with DQ; patients practiced it in a sitting position for 40 minutes, 3 times per week over 3 consecutive months. Patients were reassessed three months after ceasing DQ. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in local and systemic VAS-Cold both at the end of DQ training and three months past the end of this. Conclusion: The DQ technique ameliorated CI complaints in patients with PPS.