In Australia, a team investigating the use of medical qigong therapy (MQ) has found that it can improve cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). In a randomised controlled trial, 162 patients received either MQ (gentle exercise, relaxation, meditation and breathing exercises based on Chinese medical theory) or usual care. The MQ group benefited from significant improvements in overall QOL, fatigue and mood disturbance compared with those receiving usual care. In addition, levels of the inflammatory marker serum C-reactive protein, which was measured serially during the course of the trial, were significantly reduced in the MQ group. The authors conclude that MQ may produce physical benefits in the long term through reduced inflammation. (Impact of Medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Oncol. 2009 Oct 30. [Epub ahead of print]).