Tai chi and qigong are longstanding tools in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) toolbox. They have been
used for centuries to treat a wide variety of diseases and ailments. Whereas western medicine places its
primary focus on the treatment of existing disease, Chinese medicine places more emphasis on prevention.
Both tai chi and qigong build up and strengthen the body’s natural immune system, which helps to prevent
the onset of disease and other ailments and also helps to treat the symptoms of patients who have already
contracted an illness. In recent years, western medicine has started to pay more attention to tai chi and
qigong. Many western medical studies have incorporated the practice of these two Chinese tools into their
analysis and treatment, generally as supplements to traditional western medicine. A relatively new tool of
western medicine has been the introduction of the use of artificial intelligence to aid in research as well as
the treatment of various maladies. The present article adds to these two bodies of literature. The focus is on
finding medical studies that have incorporated artificial intelligence, using two popular chatbots – Copilot
and Gab AI – in an attempt to determine which bot provides better information. The test topic is lung cancer.
The study found that both bots provided useful information, but that Copilot produced more and better
information. This finding will be useful for medical scholars who want to incorporate the use of artificial
intelligence into their studies but may not know where to start. This study may be replicated to examine other
ailments and diseases as well as medical procedures and the management of medical practices.
Keywords: Lung Cancer; Tai Chi; Qigong; Traditional Chinese Medicine; TCM; Artificial Intelligence; Copilot; Gab AI
Tai chi and qigong are longstanding tools in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) toolbox. They have been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of diseases and ailments [1-46]. Whereas western medicine places its primary focus on the treatment of existing disease, Chinese medicine places more emphasis on prevention. Both tai chi and qigong build up and strengthen the body’s natural immune system, which helps to prevent the onset of disease and other ailments and also helps to treat the symptoms of patients who have already contracted an illness. In recent years, western medicine has started to pay more attention to tai chi and qigong. Many western medical studies have incorporated the practice of these two Chinese tools into their analysis and treatment, generally as supplements to traditional western medicine. A relatively new tool of western medicine has been the introduction of the use of artificial intelligence to aid in research as well as the treatment of various maladies [47-72]. The present article adds to these two bodies of literature. The focus is on finding medical studies that have incorporated artificial intelligence, using two popular chatbots – Copilot [73] and Gab AI [74] – in an attempt to determine which bot provides better information. The test topic is lung cancer. A search of the PubMed [75] database for the years 2020-2024 using the key words lung cancer, tai chi and qigong yielded 109 hits, which indicates that these tools of Chinese medicine are being used frequently in lung cancer research. Some of those studies are cited in the reference section [76-87].
Summarize the results of some studies on the effects of practicing either tai chi or qigong on lung cancer patients. Provide citations.
Reply
Tai chi and qigong are ancient Chinese practices that have been shown to provide health benefits for lung cancer patients. A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology in 2011 found that lung cancer patients who practiced tai chi had improved physical function and quality of life compared to those who did not. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2013 found that qigong improved the immune system function in lung cancer patients. Finally, a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine in 2014 found that both tai chi and qigong can improve physical function, quality of life, and immune function in cancer patients, including those with lung cancer.
Instruction
What kind of tai chi or qigong were used in these studies?
Reply
The specific type of tai chi or qigong used in these studies can vary depending on the research and location of the study. However, the majority of studies focus on the most common forms of these practices. For tai chi, the most common form used in studies is the Yang style, which is the most popular form of tai chi practiced worldwide. For qigong, the most common form used in studies is the Baduanjin or Eight Pieces of Brocade, which is a popular and widely practiced qigong routine. Other forms of tai chi and qigong may also be used, depending on the researcher's preference and the availability of instructors in the study location.
Summarize the results of some studies on the effects of practicing either tai chi or qigong on lung cancer patients. Provide citations.
Reply
Certainly! Here are some findings from studies on the impact of mind-body exercises such as tai chi and qigong on lung cancer patients:
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs):
1. A meta-analysis evaluated the effects of mind-body exercises (including yoga, tai chi, and qigong) on lung cancer patients.
2. The study included 11 trials with a total of 897 patients.
3. Results showed that compared to usual care, mind-body exercise led to the following improvements:
• Increased 6-minute walk distance (WMD: 18.83 meters, 95% CI: 7.55–30.10, p = 0.001).
• Reduced anxiety levels (SMD: -1.51, 95% CI: -1.74 to -1.27, p < 0.05).
• Enhanced overall quality of life (SMD: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.10–1.31, p = 0.02).
4. Certainty of evidence for all outcomes was low1.
Aerobic Exercise and Tai Chi:
1. Patients with advanced lung cancer experienced improvements in circadian rhythm, physical function, sleep, and psychological distress.
2. Consistent participation in Aerobic Exercise (AE) and Tai Chi (TC) as part of survivorship care contributed to these positive effects2.
Feasibility Study:
1. Both aerobic exercise and mind-body exercise (including tai chi) were effective in improving sleep post-intervention among cancer patients.
2. However, only the benefit of aerobic exercise remained evident at 3 to 6 months post-intervention3.
In summary, mind-body exercises like tai chi and qigong can improve exercise capacity, reduce anxiety, and positively impact overall quality of life for lung cancer survivors. However, the evidence remains subject to further research and validation [88-90].
For More Details, You Can Refer to the Full Articles:
1. “The effect of mind–body exercise in lung cancer patients: a meta-analysis of RCTs”.
2. “Aerobic Exercise, Tai Chi Improved Sleep in Patients with Lung Cancer”.
3. “Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise and Tai-Chi Interventions in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients”.
Copilot also provided prompts for related topics. One of them was: What is the difference between tai chi and qigong? Clicking on the prompt produced the following result: Certainly! Tai chi and qigong are both ancient Chinese mind-body practices that focus on cultivating energy (often referred to as “qi” or “chi”) and promoting overall well-being. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct characteristics:
Origins and Purpose
Tai Chi:
• Originates from the 16th century and was developed by Chen Wangting.
• Combines martial arts movements with meditative and health-enhancing aspects.
• Emphasizes coordination, balance, and mental discipline.
Qigong:
• Encompasses a broader range of practices related to energy cultivation.
• Primarily focuses on wellness, healing, and spiritual development.
• Utilizes simple, adaptive movements and breathwork.
Movements and Forms
Tai Chi:
• Involves a sequence of connected movements performed in a flowing manner.
• Often practiced as a series of forms or routines.
Qigong:
• Typically has fewer movements (usually less than 12) that are repeated multiple times.
• Can be done standing, sitting, or even lying down.
Martial vs. Healing Focus:
Tai Chi:
• Has its roots in martial arts.
• Combines self-defense techniques with energy cultivation.
Qigong:
• Primarily used for wellness, stress relief, and energy enhancement.
• Focuses on individual needs and specific functions of qi.
Internal vs. External
Tai Chi:
• Considered a form of active qigong.
• Involves external movements.
Qigong:
• Can be either active (with movements) or passive (without external movement).
• Often practiced internally, using concentration, breath, and imagination.
Accessibility
Tai Chi:
• Requires learning complex forms and stances.
• Often practiced standing.
Qigong:
• Simpler and more adaptable.
• Can be done in various positions (sitting, standing, or lying down).
In summary, tai chi emphasizes martial arts principles and structured movement, while qigong focuses on healing, relaxation, and internal energy flow. Many practitioners choose to explore both practices for a holistic approach to health and well-being.
For more information, you can explore these resources:
1. Tai Chi vs. Qigong: A Comparison Guide
2. Long White Cloud Qigong: Tai Chi vs. Qigong
3. Grounded MMA: Tai Chi vs. Qigong
4. Tai Chi Society: Difference between Tai Chi and Qigong [91-103].
The study found that both bots provided useful information, but that Copilot produced more and better information. This finding will be useful for medical scholars who want to incorporate the use of artificial intelligence into their studies but may not know where to start. This study may be replicated to examine other ailments and diseases as well as medical procedures and the management of medical practices.
Wang C, Pu Y, Niemisto L (2011) Tai Chi Chuan on lung cancer patients' quality of life and physical function: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Thoracic Oncology 6(11): 1926-1930.
Johnson SD, X Zhang JA (2013) Qigong for lung cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology 31(17): 2107-2112.
Mustian KM, Katula JA, Gill SK, Palesh OG, Peppone LJ, et al. (2014) Mind-body therapies for symptom management in oncology patients: a review. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 21(4): 616-630.
ISSN: 2574 -1241
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