Qigong: an innovative intervention for rural women at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Perceived healthiness and a belief in one's ability to make lifestyle changes may exert influence on individual health behaviors and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of qigong exercise with perception of healthiness as well as with selected serum laboratory measures and blood pressure in women at risk for type 2 diabetes. Perception of healthiness was favorably affected; however, no significant differences were noted in serum laboratory measures or blood pressure. The centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine practice of qigong has potential to improve perceptions of healthiness, as well as physiologic measurements of health, among women at risk for type 2 diabetes.