QI-TRAINING AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

This article examined the effects of qi-training on peripheral T lymphocyte concentrations in a cross-sectional study involving three groups of subjects: normal healthy subjects (n = 22) and two groups of qi trainees (group Q1: qi-training for 1-12 months, n = 52; and group Q2: qi-training for >12 months, n = 63). Nonparametric statistical tests revealed significant differences between the groups in TH/TS/C ratio (p < .001) and in the ratio of memory TH lymphocytes (CD45RA−) to naïve TH lymphocytes (CD45RA+) (p < .001). These findings suggest that qi-training modulates peripheral T lymphocyte concentrations. However, the functional modulation of T helper lymphocytes should be tested in a larger population and compared with other interventions.