A recent educational review published in Integrative Cancer Therapies describes how an Italian public hospital integrated Qigong into breast cancer care through a structured clinical model. The program is based at the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB) in Southern Italy and is known as the AMICO Clinic (Integrated Medicine and Oncology Management Clinic).
While the article focuses on clinical structure rather than outcomes, it offers practical lessons for anyone practicing or teaching Qigong—especially those working with people affected by cancer.
Why Qigong Was Included
The hospital developed an integrative oncology model to support women undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, or breast surgery. The goals were to:
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce treatment-related side effects
- Support adherence to oncology protocols
- Address stress, fatigue, insomnia, and mood symptoms
Qigong was included as one of the core mind–body interventions, alongside mindfulness, yoga, and lifestyle counseling. The rationale was grounded in systematic reviews suggesting that Qigong and related practices may help reduce cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and other symptoms affecting daily function.
Importantly, Qigong was not positioned as an alternative therapy, but as a complementary practice integrated with standard oncology care.
How Qigong Was Delivered in a Clinical Setting
The study outlines a structured workflow:
1. Baseline Assessment
Patients completed validated questionnaires assessing:
- Perceived stress
- Fatigue and medically unexplained symptoms
- Quality of life
- Lifestyle factors (diet, smoking, activity level)
They also underwent body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and laboratory testing to evaluate metabolic and inflammatory markers.
2. Personalized Integrative Plan
Based on symptoms and clinical status, patients were referred to mind–body laboratories that included Qigong sessions.
3. Follow-Up Monitoring
Reassessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months to track changes in quality of life, biological markers, and adherence to lifestyle recommendations.
This structured integration is a key takeaway: Qigong was embedded within measurable, ongoing care—not offered as a one-time workshop.
Practical Lessons for Qigong Practitioners
Even outside a hospital setting, several principles from this model are applicable:
Keep It Symptom-Oriented
The clinical emphasis was on addressing:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Stress regulation
When teaching Qigong to individuals with health challenges, frame sessions around these functional outcomes.
Integrate with Lifestyle Foundations
The program paired Qigong with:
- Mediterranean-style nutrition
- Moderate physical activity
- Sleep hygiene
- Stress management strategies
Qigong was one component of a comprehensive health strategy.
Encourage Tracking
Because the hospital monitored stress scales, body composition, and quality-of-life metrics, practitioners can adopt simplified tracking:
- Energy levels (0–10 scale)
- Sleep quality
- Perceived stress
- Weekly consistency of practice
Awareness reinforces engagement.
The Bigger Picture
The Italian hospital’s initiative reflects a broader movement in oncology toward structured integrative care models that combine conventional treatment with evidence-informed complementary practices.
For Qigong practitioners, the message is practical and encouraging: when delivered consistently, gently, and within a lifestyle-based framework, Qigong can be meaningfully incorporated into modern cancer care—not as an alternative, but as a supportive discipline aimed at improving quality of life.
