Romy Lauche1,2, Peter M Wayne3, Gustav Dobos1, Holger Cramer1,2. 1. 1 Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen, Germany . 2. 2 Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney , Sydney, Australia . 3. 3 Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of t'ai chi and qigong use in the U.S. general population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 34,525). Weighted frequencies were used to analyze lifetime and 12-month prevalence and patterns of use. Independent predictors of practice were analyzed by using logistic regression models. Analyzes were conducted in 2015. RESULTS: The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of t'ai chi/qigong practice were 3.1% and 1.2%, respectively. The 12-month prevalence was associated with age older than 30 years; being African American, Asian, or other ethnic origin; living in the West; being college educated and single; and being a light to heavy alcohol consumer. Almost 39% of users attended formal classes. T'ai chi/qigong was practiced for wellness/disease prevention and to improve energy, immune function, athletic performance, or memory/concentration. Stress, arthritis, and joint problems were the most frequent specific health problems for practice. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an only marginal increase of t'ai chi/qigong practice in the United States over the past 10 years, the proportion of minorities among practitioners has increased significantly. Gaps between clinical application and research are discussed.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of t'ai chi and qigong use in the U.S. general population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 34,525). Weighted frequencies were used to analyze lifetime and 12-month prevalence and patterns of use. Independent predictors of practice were analyzed by using logistic regression models. Analyzes were conducted in 2015. RESULTS: The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of t'ai chi/qigong practice were 3.1% and 1.2%, respectively. The 12-month prevalence was associated with age older than 30 years; being African American, Asian, or other ethnic origin; living in the West; being college educated and single; and being a light to heavy alcohol consumer. Almost 39% of users attended formal classes. T'ai chi/qigong was practiced for wellness/disease prevention and to improve energy, immune function, athletic performance, or memory/concentration. Stress, arthritis, and joint problems were the most frequent specific health problems for practice. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an only marginal increase of t'ai chi/qigong practice in the United States over the past 10 years, the proportion of minorities among practitioners has increased significantly. Gaps between clinical application and research are discussed.
Authors: Holger Cramer; Helen Hall; Matthew Leach; Jane Frawley; Yan Zhang; Brenda Leung; Jon Adams; Romy Lauche Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2016-11-10 Impact factor: 4.379