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Impact of Qi dance on psychological stress, anxiety, and sleep quality among breast cancer patients in the rehabilitation phase: An investigation of intervention efficacy

Zheng Wang, Jing Liu, Hao Tu, Feilong Wu, Jing Yu · Psycho-Oncologie · 2026

Researchers randomly split 72 breast cancer patients in recovery into a Qi Dance group or a control group, then measured perceived stress, anxiety, sleep quality, and quality of life. The Qi Dance group improved significantly on all four measures compared with both their own baseline and the control group.
Takeaway: Consider adding a gentle mind-body movement practice like Qi Dance during cancer recovery to help lower stress and anxiety and sleep better.
Abstract (source)

This study

Aims: to investigate the effects of Qi Dance intervention on psychological stress, anxiety, and sleep quality, and overall quality of life in Breast Cancer Convalescent Patients (BCCP).

Methods: BCCP were randomly assigned to the Qi Dance Group (QDG) and the Control Group (CG), with 36 participants in each group. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast (FACT-B) were employed to assess changes in these indicators and their correlations before and after the Qi Dance intervention.

Results: There were no significant differences between the QDG and CG in PSS, SAS, PSQI, or FACT-B at baseline (P > 0.05). Compared to pre-intervention values, the QDG showed significant improvements in all four measures after the intervention (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the CG, the QDG had significantly lower scores in PSS-10 (15.50 卤 2.79 vs. 32.76 卤 2.63, P < 0.05), SAS (45.50 卤 5.09 vs. 59.13 卤 5.58, P < 0.05), and PSQI (7.45 卤 2.74 vs. 15.13 卤 2.75, P < 0.05), and a significantly higher FACT-B score (126.66 卤 7.96 vs. 73.00 卤 5.59, P < 0.05). Regression analysis further revealed that Qi Dance intervention significantly reduced perceived stress (R虏 = 0.75, B = -4.78, 95% CI [-5.71, -3.86], P < 0.05), anxiety (R虏 = 0.72, B = -8.57, 95% CI [-10.36, -6.80], P < 0.05), and sleep disturbances (R虏 = 0.74, B = -4.68, 95% CI [-5.60, -3.76], P < 0.05), while significantly improving quality of life (R虏 = 0.82, B = 14.26, 95% CI [12.03, 34.49], P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The Qi Dance intervention not only significantly alleviates perceived stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, but also enhances the overall quality of life in breast cancer convalescent patients. These

Findings: further suggest that incorporating Qi Dance into the treatment plan for BCCP holds potential benefits.

Primary studyOpen accessRecovery & Sleep
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