Abstract
In China, Guolin' New Qigong (GNQ) has been used for treating cancer patients. Favorable results have been achieved and it is believed that this is because GNQ is effective in alleviating stress and improving immune responses. In order to elucidate the mechanism, Qigong was practiced for 40 minutes, using the Shizenkoukou and Chukaikou Technique. The endocrine and immune responses were measured before and after Qigong movements had been practiced. The level of plasma cortisol and adrenaline decreased, but β-endolphin, dopamine, noradrenaline, CD4/CD8 and Natural Killer (NK) cell activity had a tendency to increase. Based on the fact that plasma coritisol and adrenaline deceased, it is presumed that GNQ alleviates stress and decreases the sympathetic nerve activity. Also, based on the fact that the level of CD4/CD8 increased and there was improvement to the NK cell activity, it is presumed that Qigong elevates immune responses. The respective results achieved from Shizen-Koukou and Chukaikou were compared, but there were no significant differences.
