Using remotely delivered Spring Forest Qigong to reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury: A non-randomized controlled trial

Research Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and estimates of efficacy of a remotely delivered Qigong intervention in adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain.

Design: Nationwide volunteer sampling. Non-randomized controlled trial design. Participants practiced Qigong with an online video at least 3x/week for 12 weeks. Adherence was automatically tracked through the Spring Forest Qigong website. Follow-up was done at 6-weeks and 1-year.

Setting: Completely remote study. Participants practiced at home or any location with an internet connection.

Participants: We recruited community-dwelling adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain, with SCI ≥3 months, and highest neuropathic pain level of >3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). We recruited 23 adults with chronic SCI (7/2021-2/2023). Eighteen participants started the study and completed all study components, including the 6-week follow-up. Twelve participants completed the 1-year follow-up assessment.

Interventions: The Spring Forest Qigong’s “Five Element Qigong Healing Movements” (online video) encompassed 5 gentle movements. Participants were asked to move actively to the best of their ability and combine it with kinesthetic imagery.

Main Outcome Measures: NPRS was assessed weekly. SCI-related symptoms were assessed at baseline-, 6- and 12-weeks of Qigong practice, and at 6-weeks and 1-year follow-up.

Results: The 18 participants were 60±12 years of age, 15±11 years post-SCI with highest baseline neuropathic pain of 7.94±2.33 on the NPRS, which was reduced to 4.17±3.07 after 12 weeks of Qigong practice (Cohen’s d=1.75). This pain relief remained at 6-week and 1-year follow-ups. Participants reported reduced spasm frequency (change score 1.17±1.20, d=0.98) and severity (0.72±1.02, d=0.71), reduced interference of neuropathic pain on mood (3.44±2.53, d=1.36), sleep (3.39±2.40, d=1.41), and daily activities (3.17±2.77, d=1.14), greater ability to perform functional activities (6.68±3.07, d=2.18), and improved mood (2.33±3.31, d=0.70) after Qigong practice.

Conclusions: Remote “Five Element Qigong Healing Movements” practice is feasible in adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain, with promising prolonged results of neuropathic pain relief and improvement in SCI-related symptoms after Qigong practice.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.