Qi Gong and Cancer-Related Fatigue: What the Studies Say

Qi Gong and Cancer-Related Fatigue: What the Studies Say

Qi Gong At The Bright Beings Academy
November 17, 2025•11 min read

Cancer-related fatigue can feel like a fog that doesn’t lift. Even on “good” days, energy can crash without warning. It’s no surprise that many people look for gentle, realistic ways to move again – without pushing their bodies too hard.

This page is a plain-English evidence hub on Qi Gong, Tai Chi and cancer-related fatigue (CRF). It pulls together recent trials and reviews (up to around 2025) and shows how they fit with your practical guide Qi Gong for Cancer Recovery Fatigue: Move Softly, Restore.

If you want a routine to follow, use the Cancer Recovery Fatigue page first. If you want to know what the research actually says, stay here – and we’ll walk through it step by step.

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How this page fits into your Qi Gong evidence cluster

This article is one of several condition-specific evidence hubs that sit underneath:

Alongside this cancer fatigue hub, you’re building:

And it supports practical condition pages like:

The idea is simple: practical pages show you how to move, evidence hubs show you why it’s worth trying.

Big picture: what does the research say about Qi Gong and cancer fatigue?

Since around 2010, and especially over the last decade, researchers have run randomised trials and systematic reviews on Qi Gong and Tai Chi for cancer-related fatigue. A few key patterns stand out:

  • Qi Gong can reduce cancer-related fatigue more than usual care alone.

    • A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of Qigong for CRF found small-to-moderate anti-fatigue effects compared with conventional care or wait-list controls.

  • Benefits often extend to sleep and quality of life.

    • A 2021 meta-analysis of Baduanjin Qigong reported improvements in fatigue, sleep quality and overall quality of life in cancer patients and survivors.

  • Qigong can be as effective as more strenuous exercise-nutrition programmes in some studies.

    • A pilot trial in women with CRF found that Qigong improved fatigue to a similar degree as a combined exercise and nutrition programme.

  • Newer reviews suggest Qigong is safe and feasible, including for frailer patients.

    • A 2023 narrative review concluded that Qigong can improve cancer-related fatigue, cognitive problems and quality of life, with no evidence of harm in the studies reviewed.

In plain English:

Qigong won’t magically erase cancer fatigue, but it consistently looks like a low-risk, helpful add-on that can gently lift energy, support sleep and improve life quality when practised regularly.

What kinds of cancer and treatments have been studied?

Most research has focused on:

  • Breast cancer survivors (during or after chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery)

  • Colorectal and lung cancer patients during chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy

  • Mixed groups of cancer survivors with persistent fatigue after treatment

  • Advanced cancer patients (pilot studies of very gentle, seated forms).

Types of Qi Gong / Tai Chi include:

  • Baduanjin (Eight Brocades) – a common, standardised Health Qi Gong set

  • Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE) – a simplified, meditative movement form

  • Guolin Qigong and other cancer-focused forms

  • Very gentle “simple sitting” Baduanjin for patients with advanced disease

This is good news for your cluster, because your practical page Qi Gong for Cancer Recovery Fatigue: Move Softly, Restore already leans on soft, breath-led, fatigue-aware forms rather than intense, athletic routines.

How big are the improvements – and what else changes?

Fatigue

The 2020 systematic review on Qigong for CRF estimated a small-to-moderate reduction in fatigue versus control groups.

More recent work continues this pattern:

  • Trials of Baduanjin in breast and colorectal cancer show meaningful drops in fatigue scores over 8–12 weeks, compared to usual care.

  • The pilot trial comparing Qigong with an exercise-nutrition programme reported similar improvements in fatigue between the groups, suggesting Qigong can “hold its own” against more strenuous routines.

Sleep, mood and cognition

Fatigue rarely travels alone. Many studies measure sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression and cognitive function at the same time:

  • Qigong interventions often show improvements in sleep quality alongside fatigue reductions.

  • Some trials report better mood and anxiety scores, echoing findings from broader mental health reviews.

  • A 2024 meta-analysis on Qigong in breast cancer survivors found benefits for cognitive impairment and overall quality of life as well as fatigue.

This is where cross-links matter:

Quality of life and physical function

Reviews of Tai Chi/Qigong in cancer care consistently note better overall quality of life, small gains in physical function, and good tolerability.

That’s why Qigong is now mentioned in some integrative oncology guidelines as a recommended mind–body exercise for CRF, rather than an obscure alternative.

How often did people practise in the studies?

The exact “dose” varies, but common patterns are:

  • Frequency: 2–5 supervised sessions per week, sometimes with home practice

  • Session length: 30–60 minutes

  • Programme length: 6–12 weeks before measuring outcomes

For many people with cancer-related fatigue, that sounds like a lot. Your practical page Qi Gong for Cancer Recovery Fatigue: Move Softly, Restore and Qi Gong for Long-COVID Fatigue: A Breath-Led Reset both lean on a different principle:

Start smaller than the research programmes, keep it kind, and only add time when your body shows it can cope.

You can also bring in pacing ideas from Qi Gong for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain: Gentle Relief to avoid boom-and-bust cycles.

How might Qi Gong help fatigue in cancer?

Researchers suggest several overlapping mechanisms:

  • Breath, heart and nervous system.
    Slow, coordinated breathing and movement can support parasympathetic activity and heart-rate variability (HRV), which are linked with better stress resilience and energy management.

  • Gentle reconditioning.
    Many people with CRF have lost muscle strength and confidence in movement. Soft, low-impact forms like Baduanjin rebuild capacity without the intensity of standard exercise programmes.

  • Sleep and circadian rhythms.
    By combining regular daytime movement with calming breathwork, Qigong may support healthier sleep patterns – which feed back into daytime energy.

  • Mood and cognitive load.
    Cancer treatment brings fear, uncertainty and information overload. The simple, repetitive focus of Qigong acts as moving meditation, reducing worry and mental fatigue for at least a while.

Your broader evidence cluster joins these dots:

Safety, limits and what this page is not

Across the reviews:

  • Qigong is generally described as safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported in cancer populations.

  • Fatigue sometimes improves during treatment, sometimes more clearly after treatment, and occasionally not at all – especially if the programme is too short or irregular.

This article is not saying:

  • “Qi Gong cures cancer” – it doesn’t.

  • “You should stop your prescribed exercise or rehab programme.”

  • “You can use Qigong instead of medical treatment.”

Instead, it supports a very simple statement you can repeat across your site:

Qigong is offered here as a gentle, complementary practice for cancer-related fatigue – to sit alongside your oncology care, not replace it.

For readers who want practical next steps, you might nudge them towards Live Online Qi Gong Classes and 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners for structured support.

From evidence to action: building a realistic Qigong plan

Using everything above, a simple, evidence-informed approach for cancer-related fatigue might look like this:

  1. Choose the gentlest starting point.

  2. Start with “less than you think”.

    • Aim for 5–10 minutes, 3–5 days per week, rather than jumping straight to 30 minutes.

    • On very heavy days, it may just be a few minutes of breath and micro-movements.

  3. Blend in sleep and mood support.

  4. Respect treatment cycles.

  5. Review every 6–12 weeks.

    • That’s when most trials re-measured fatigue. If someone has practised gently but consistently for 2–3 months, it’s fair to pause, reassess and adjust the plan with their clinical team.

Join Bright Beings Academy

For many people, reading the evidence is reassuring – but what really changes things is moving with others, with guidance that understands both science and sensitivity.

Here you’ll show the three membership options so people recovering from cancer can choose the level of support that feels safe and manageable for their energy levels.

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Related evidence hubs

Cancer-related fatigue rarely travels alone, so you might want to zoom out and look at related areas of the research:

For immune and inflammation markers across autoimmune and chronic conditions, explore Qi Gong and Autoimmune Conditions: Inflammation Evidence 2020–2025

FAQs – Qi Gong and Cancer-Related Fatigue: What the Studies Say

Can Qi Gong replace my oncology treatment or prescribed exercise programme?
No. All the trials and reviews treat Qigong as an add-on to usual care, not a substitute for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or rehab exercise. If you’re thinking of changing your treatment or exercise plan, always talk to your oncology and rehab team first.

Is Qigong safe during chemotherapy or radiotherapy – or should I wait until after?
Most studies include people during treatment, often with adaptations for side effects. However, fatigue and blood counts can vary a lot. The safest path is to:

  • Ask your oncology team what level of movement is currently advised.

  • Choose very gentle, breath-led routines such as those in Qi Gong for Cancer Recovery Fatigue: Move Softly, Restore.

  • Stop and rest if dizziness, chest pain, unusual breathlessness, bleeding or fever appear – and seek medical advice.

How long before the evidence suggests I might notice a change in fatigue?
In trials, fatigue changes are usually measured after 6–12 weeks of regular practice. Some people feel a small lift sooner; others notice improvements more slowly. The important part is to avoid overdoing it on better days – the pacing ideas from Qi Gong for Long-COVID Fatigue: A Breath-Led Reset can help.

What style of Qi Gong is best for cancer-related fatigue?
Most research uses Health Qi Gong sets such as Baduanjin or simplified Qigong/Tai Chi Easy programmes. In practice, the “best” style is:

  • Gentle enough not to trigger crashes

  • Enjoyable enough that you’ll actually repeat it

  • Adaptable to seated or standing versions

You can find options in Qi Gong Forms Library: Popular Sets Explained and sound-led routines like Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue): Breath, Tone, Calm.

Is there any sign that Qi Gong helps with other symptoms – like brain fog or low mood?
Yes. Several reviews and trials report improvements in sleep, cognitive function, anxiety, depression and overall quality of life alongside fatigue. Your broader hubs Qi Gong & Anxiety: Mood and Mental Health Evidence 2020–2025 and Qi Gong & Sleep — What the Studies Say (2020–2025) give more detail on those areas.

What if my fatigue doesn’t improve, even after trying Qigong for a while?
You’re not doing anything wrong. Cancer-related fatigue is complex and influenced by many factors (ongoing treatment, anaemia, hormones, mood, sleep, other illnesses). If you’ve tried gentle Qigong for a couple of months and feel no change – or feel worse – it’s important to:

Further reading in this cluster

For readers who want to explore the wider picture, you can recommend:

Learn Qi Gong at home at the Bright Beings Academy

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I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.

Until then, be well and keep shining.

Peter. :)

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Peter Paul Parker is a Meraki Guide and Qi Gong Instructor who helps empaths, intuitives, and the spiritually aware heal emotional wounds, embrace shadow work, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through a unique blend of ancient practices, modern insights, and his signature Dream Method, he guides people towards self-love, balance, and spiritual empowerment.

Peter Paul Parker

Peter Paul Parker is a Meraki Guide and Qi Gong Instructor who helps empaths, intuitives, and the spiritually aware heal emotional wounds, embrace shadow work, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through a unique blend of ancient practices, modern insights, and his signature Dream Method, he guides people towards self-love, balance, and spiritual empowerment.

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