Nine RCTs (n=908 participants) were included in the review. Quality scores of trials ranged from 24 and 76 points; Jadad scale scores were between 1 and 3 points.
Mean systolic blood pressure: There was a statistically significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure for qigong alone compared with no treatment (WMD 17.03 mm Hg, 95% CI 11.53 to 22.52; three RCTs, n=130 participants) and for qigong plus drug therapy compared with drug therapy alone (WMD 7.32 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.81 to 13.82; two RCTs, n=243 participants). There was no evidence of heterogeneity for these analyses. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for mean systolic blood pressure for qigong alone compared with drug therapy, qigong alone compared with exercise, or qigong plus drug therapy compared with muscle relaxation exercise and drug therapy.
Mean diastolic blood pressure: There was a statistically significant decrease in mean diastolic blood pressure for qigong alone compared with no treatment (WMD 9.98 mm Hg, 95% CI 2.55 to 17.41; three RCTs, n=130 participants). However, heterogeneity was statistically significant for this analysis (p=0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in mean diastolic blood pressure for qigong alone compared with drug therapy, qigong alone compared with exercise, qigong plus drug therapy compared with drug therapy only, or qigong plus drug therapy compared with muscle relaxation plus drug therapy.
Adverse effects: In one RCT, one woman experienced vestibular neuronitis unrelated to qigong. In another RCT, some participants reported experiencing muscular stiffness after their first qigong session. No other trials reported adverse effects.
Results were also reported for symptom disappearance rate and other effects of qigong.
The funnel plot showed no evidence of publication bias.