Science on Qi

234 / Journal of Daoist Studies 4 (2011) BCE‑220 CE) through the Six Dynasties (220‑581) in 862 pages plus four illustrations. Volume 2 just appeared (2010), moving on through the Five Dynasties (902‑979) in 1207 pages plus 16 illustrations. It covers nine major topics with corresponding sections: (1) Theo‑ retical and interpretive issues; (2) Daoism during the late Period of Dis‑ union to the Five Dynasties; (3) Scientific thought; (4) Alchemical meth‑ ods and chemistry; (5) Medicine; (6) Health and longevity (yangsheng); (7) Astronomy and geology; (8) Physics and technology; and (9) Biology. As such, this work makes a major contribution to the emerging subfield and research topic of Daoism and science. It opens a new vista for future re‑ search in Daoist Studies. The third volume is scheduled to appear in two years; it will cover Song (960‑1279) through Qing (1644‑1911). —Louis Komjathy Science on Qi Reviews Bohlmeijer, E., Prenger, R., Taal, E., & Cuipers, P. 2010. The effects of mindfulness‑based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with chronic medical disease: A meta‑analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 68:539‑44. — — A quantitative review, this examines the effec‑ tiveness of mindfulness‑based meditation in reducing symptoms of de‑ pression, anxiety, and psychological stress across populations with dif‑ ferent chronic somatic diseases (heart disease, fibromyalgia, cancer, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome) in 8 randomized, controlled‑outcome studies 1966‑2008. It had small‑to‑medium effect sizes demonstrating its effectiveness as a complementary therapy. Jahnke, R., Larkey, L., Rogers, C., Etnier, J., & Fang, L. 2010, July/August). A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and tai chi. Health Promotion 24(6), e1‑e25. — — A qualitative review of 77 randomized studies, this examines the psychological and physiological effects of taiji quan and qigong in studies 1993‑2007. Interventions were examined within 9 outcome categories. Results revealed favorable effects for: 1) bone density and bone loss; 2) cardiopulmonary health; 3) enhanced News of the Field / 235 physical function; 4) reduction in falls and improvement in balance and gait, but findings were difficult to interpret because many studies exam‑ ined frail elderly adults; 5) improvements in quality of life indicators— social relationships, psychological states, and personal beliefs; 6) im‑ provement in self‑efficacy (walking without fallingl; managing chronic conditions); 7) patient self‑reported symptoms of neck pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and others; 8) decrease in psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression and improved positive mood; 9) improvement in immune function and inflammation. An important contribution of this review is recognition of the shared features of taiji quan and qigong with emphasis on meditation, breathing,and body movement. Suggestions for studying equivalence in controlled research studies are provided. Logghe, I.H.J., Verhagen, A.P., Rademaker, A.C.H.J., Bierma‑Zeinstra, S.M.A., van Rossum, E., Faber, M.J., & Koes, B.W. 2010. The effects of tai chi on fall prevention, fear of falling and balance in older people: A meta‑analysis. Preventive Medicine 51: 222‑27. — — A quantitative review, this examines 9 randomized controlled trials 1988‑2009. Compared to exercise controls, taiji quan participants over 50 showed significant im‑ provement in fall rates and static balance. Compared with non‑exercise controls there was a significant improvement for fear of falling. Research Studies Eberhard, B., Kipman, U., Schätz, S., & Langguth, B. 2010. Qigong for the treatment of tinnitus: A prospective randomized controlled study. Jour‑ nal of Psychosomatic Research, 69, 299‑304. — — 80 patients with tinnitus, anxiety, and insomnia participated in twice‑weekly qigong sessions for 5 weeks. Compared to no‑treatment, wait‑listed control patients, tinnitus patients experienced improvement in tinnitus severity. Qigong effects were stronger in a subgroup of patients with somatosensoric tinnitus, a result attributed to the relaxation benefits of qigong training. MacLean, K.A., Ferrer, E., Aichele, S.R., Bridwell, D.A., Zanesco, A.P., Jacobs, T.L., King, B.G., Rosenberg, E.L., Sahdra, B.K., Shaver, P.R., Wal‑ lace, B.A., Mangun, G.R., & Saron, C.D. 2010. Intensive meditation train‑ ing improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention. Psycho‑ logical Science 21:829‑39. — — 30 participants were randomly assigned to 236 / Journal of Daoist Studies 4 (2011) an intervention group...