INTEGRATIVE CARE (C LAMMERSFELD, SECTION EDITOR) Qigong or Tai Chi in Cancer Care: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Yingchun Zeng 1 & Xiaohua Xie 2 & Andy S. K. Cheng 3 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019 Abstract Purpose of Review Qigong and Tai Chi are two increasingly popular mind-body interventions with the potential to address the multifaceted needs of cancer survivors. The aim of this updated review and meta-analysis was to quantitatively evaluate the treatment effects of Qigong/Tai Chi on cancer survivors since 2014. Recent Findings There were statistically significant and clinically meaningful effects in favor of Qigong/Tai Chi interventions for symptoms of fatigue and sleep quality. There were positive trends, but not statistically significant effects, observed for anxiety, stress, depressive symptoms, and overall quality of life (QOL). Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a common complaint among cancer survivors that has received increasing attention in this area in recent years. Summary Qigong/Tai Chi in cancer care shows great promise with short-term effects in treating many cancer-related symptoms. Further methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and more active control conditions are required, before definitive conclusions can be recommended for cancer patients. Keywords Integrative oncology . Qigong . Tai Chi . Fatigue . Sleep . Anxiety . Stress . Depression . Cognitive function . Quality of life (QOL) Introduction With early detection and advanced treatment of cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate of all cancer sites is 67%, resulting in an increasing number of cancer survi- vors [1]. As more cancer survivors live longer after curative treatment, long-term or late effects of cancer and its treatment, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood, neurocognitive function deficits, and quality of life, are more commonly seen in cancer survivors [2, 3•]. The use of Qigong or Tai Chi has a much longer history—especially in cancer care [4•]. Qigong and Tai Chi are two increasingly popular mind-body interven- tions with the potential to address the multifaceted needs of cancer survivors [3•, 5•]. Qigong, often used to enhance vital energy or life force, balances a patient’ s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health, and aims to reduce fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symp- toms [6•]. “Qigong practices are used to increase the qi, circulate it, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit qi to help heal others” [6•]. Tai Chi is also a form of ancient and traditional Chinese medicine that integrates movement (physical postures), meditation (fo- cused attention), and controlled breathing to achieve a state of mental calm and relaxation [7]. Tai Chi aims to improve the health of cancer patients through increased mind-body awareness, and especially when incorporat- ing Qigong practices can add a stronger meditative as- pect to enhance physical and emotional balance [4•, 6•]. This article is part of the Topical Collection on Integrative Care * Yingchun Zeng chloezengyc@hotmail.co.uk 1 Research Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China 2 Department of Nursing, The Second People’ s Hospital of Shenzhen, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China 3 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China Current Oncology Reports (2019) 21:48 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-019-0786-2