Volume 27 - Issue 1

Article Citation

  • Robert W McGee*. Using Qigong to Treat a Variety of Cancer Patients: An Experimental Study in Artificial Intelligence using Gemini 2.5 as a Test. Am J Biomed Sci & Res. 2025 - 27(1). AJBSR.MS.ID.003529. DOI:10.34297/AJBSR.2025.27.003529

Case Study Biomedical Science and Research Biomedical Science and Research CC by Creative Commons, CC-BY

Using Qigong to Treat a Variety of Cancer Patients: An Experimental Study in Artificial Intelligence using Gemini 2.5 as a Test

*Corresponding author: Robert W McGee, Department of Graduate and Professional Studies in Business, Fayetteville State University, USA.

Received: May 15, 2025; Published: May 23, 2025

DOI: 10.34297/AJBSR.2025.27.003529

Abstract

This experimental study evaluates the performance of Gemini, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant, in retrieving and presenting information on the use of qigong for treating cancer patients. The research aimed to assess the quality and relevance of information selected by Gemini in response to a specific instruction about qigong’s application in cancer care, including the identification and discussion of relevant case studies. The methodology involved providing a single, simple instruction to Gemini and analyzing its reply.

The study found that Gemini provided a relevant and excellent essay that answered the posed question, offering a good mix of general interest articles and medical studies. The information was considered sufficient for a general reader and a good foundation for further research. A notable feature identified was Gemini’s cautionary notes regarding the veracity of certain citations, an improvement over some other AI models. However, the author noted difficulties in the copy-and-paste functionality when compared to other AI tools like Grok 3. Despite this usability issue, the overall search was deemed worthwhile.

Keywords: Tai Chi, Qigong, Cancer, Artificial intelligence, Gemini

Introduction

Qigong is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of a combination of gentle movements, mindfulness and breathing techniques. The Chinese have been using qigong techniques for thousands of years, often as a primary treatment [1-12]. In recent decades, Western medical practitioners have started using qigong techniques as a supplementary treatment for a wide range of ailments, including cancer [13-33].

The present study focuses on the applications of qigong to treat cancer survivors. It uses Gemini [34], an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant, to retrieve basic information, the goal being to see how well Gemini performs as well as what kind of information it chooses to select. AI is being used increasingly in medical practices and in medical research [35-66], and its use is expected to increase rapidly as the glitches are worked out.

The Study

Many AI assistants have come on the market in recent years. It seems like a new assistant either comes on the market or is upgraded on a weekly basis. We decided to try Gemini because it is one of the new AI assistants that is being used widely as of this writing. We started by giving it one simple instruction and were curious to see how it would perform and what kinds of studies and other publications it would cite.

Instruction

How has qigong been used to treat cancer patients? Identify, discuss and cite relevant case studies.

Gemini Reply

Qigong in Cancer Care: A Complementary Approach to Symptom Management and Improved Quality of Life

Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice involving coordinated body postures, movement, breathing techniques, and meditation, has increasingly been explored as a complementary therapy for individuals undergoing cancer treatment [67]. While not a cure for cancer, research and case studies suggests its potential benefits in managing treatment-related side effects, improving psychological well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life for patients [68].

How Qigong is Used for Cancer Patients

Qigong is primarily utilized in cancer care to:

I. Manage Cancer-Related Symptoms: Numerous studies and reviews indicate that qigong can be effective in alleviating common symptoms experienced by cancer patients. These include [69]:

II. Fatigue: This is one of the most frequently reported and debilitating side effects of cancer and its treatments. Multiple studies, including randomized clinical trials, have shown that qigong practice can lead to clinically significant improvements in cancer-related fatigue, sometimes comparable to standard exercise programs [70-71].

III. Sleep Disturbances: Qigong may help improve sleep quality in cancer patients [72].

IV. Psychological Distress: The practice has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and improve overall mood [73].

V. Pain: Some evidence suggests qigong may help in managing pain levels [74].

VI. Cognitive Impairment: Qigong has shown potential in improving cognitive function, sometimes referred to as “chemo- brain.”

VII. Gastrointestinal Issues: Some studies indicate potential benefits for appetite and intestinal function, though results for nausea and vomiting have been mixed and may depend on the qigong program’s specifics [75].

VIII. Improve Quality of Life (QoL): By addressing various physical and psychological symptoms, qigong can contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of life for cancer patients. Studies have reported enhanced physical functioning, emotional well-being, and a better overall sense of health [76-77].

IX. Enhance Immune Function: Some research points to qigong’s potential positive effects on immune markers, such as white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and a reduction in inflammatory markers like C-Reactive Protein (CRP). However, more systematic study of biological markers is needed [78].

X. Serve as a Safe, Low-Impact Exercise: Qigong’s gentle, adaptable movements make it a suitable option even for frail patients or those with limited mobility. It can be performed sitting or lying down if necessary [79].

Relevant Case Studies and Clinical Findings

While large-scale clinical trials provide broader evidence, case studies and smaller clinical reports offer insights into individual experiences and specific contexts.

I. External Qigong for Symptom Relief in Terminally Ill Patients: A notable short report detailed two case studies involving terminally ill oncology patients (one with liver neoplasms, the other with stomach neoplasms) who received Qi therapy (external qigong, where a qigong master directs energy). The patients underwent four therapy sessions over a seven-day period. After 20 minutes of Qi therapy, both individuals reported improvements in mood and alertness, and a reduction in pain, anxiety, depression, discomfort, and fatigue. These positive effects were observed on both the first and last days of the intervention, with scores for most symptoms showing greater improvement by the last day. While the authors acknowledge that these two cases do not constitute conclusive evidence, the data suggested potential beneficial short-term effects of Qi therapy on cancer symptoms [80].

II. Gemini note to reader: Citation: (This information is based on a PubMed-indexed article titled “Two case reports of the acute effects of Qi therapy (external Qigong) on symptoms of cancer: short report.” Specific author and journal details would require accessing the full PubMed entry, e.g., Lee MS, et al. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Aug;11(4):583-5. Please verify specific citation details if needed for formal use.)

III. Qigong for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center conducted a study finding that qigong reduced depressive symptoms and improved quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. This study, while larger than a typical case study, provided detailed insights [81]:

a) Forty-nine patients were randomized to a qigong group (five 40-minute classes weekly during their five-to-six week radiation course), and 47 to a waitlist control group [82].

b) Benefits, particularly in declining depressive symptom scores, emerged over time and were sustained at one and three-month follow-ups for the qigong group.

c) Qigong was found to be especially helpful for women with high baseline depressive symptoms [83].

IV. Citation: (Published in the journal Cancer. For example: Cohen, L., et al. (2013). Qigong practice reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. Cancer. Please verify specific citation details if needed for formal use. The MD Anderson Cancer Center also issued a news release on January 25, 2013, detailing this study.)

V. Pilot Study on Medical Qigong for Various Cancers: A pilot randomized clinical trial investigated the impact of Medical Qigong on fatigue, quality of life, side effects, mood, and inflammation in 43 patients with a range of cancers.

a) The intervention group (n=22) participated in a 10-week MQ program alongside usual care, while the control group (n=21) received usual care only.

b) The MQ group reported clinically significant improvements in fatigue and overall quality of life compared to the control group. Reductions in side effects like nausea, pain, and insomnia, as well as mood disturbances and the inflammatory marker CRP, were also noted, though not all these differences were statistically significant compared to the control group, potentially due to the small sample size.

VI. Citation: (For example: Oh, B et al. (2008). Randomized clinical trial: The Impact of Medical Qigong (traditional Chinese medicine) on fatigue, quality of life, side effects, mood status and inflammation of cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(15_suppl), 9565. Please verify specific citation details if needed for formal use.) [84-85].

VII. Qigong/Tai Chi Easy for Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A randomized controlled trial tested a simplified form called Qigong/Tai Chi Easy in breast cancer survivors. The techniques involved gentle movements and breathing. The study found significant reductions in fatigue and improved QoL compared to a sham intervention [86-87].

VIII. Citation: (Referenced in a literature synthesis by McGee, RW., citing Larkey et al. (2015). Please verify specific citation details if needed for formal use.).

It’s important to note that while many studies and reviews point to the benefits of qigong, researchers consistently call for more rigorous, larger-scale trials with longer follow-up periods to further solidify the evidence base and understand the mechanisms of action. Qigong is generally considered safe, but patients should always consult their oncologists or healthcare providers before starting any new complementary therapy, especially if they are weak or experiencing significant side effects from treatment [88].

In conclusion, qigong is being used as a supportive modality in cancer care, with evidence suggesting its utility in managing a range of physical and psychological symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for patients. Case studies and clinical trials, though varying in scale, contribute to a growing understanding of its potential role alongside conventional cancer treatments [89].

Author Comments

Although the information Gemini provided was relevant, it was not as easy to copy and paste as would have been the case using Grok 3. Copying and pasting had to be done in small chunks. It was not possible to copy and paste entire sections at one time because the copy and past feature failed to work for more than one citation at a time. Copying and pasting entire sections using Grok 3 is not a problem. Having said that, Gemini did write an excellent essay that answered the question. It also provided a good mix of general interest articles and medical studies. The Gemini search was worthwhile in the sense that one instruction served to produce a sufficient quantity and quality of information for the general reader, and also provided a good foundation for further research in the event that the reader wanted to dig deeper. One interesting feature of Gemini is that it warned the reader when the veracity of a particular citation was in question. This feature is an innovation over Chat GPT 3.5, which sometimes created references out of thin air. One other thing is worth mentioning. After finishing this article, I continued to play with Gemini, but the play time did not last long. It stopped working and announced that I had reached my limit for the day and would not be able to use it again for approximately 24 hours. Perhaps this stoppage would not have happened if I had used a paid version. I used the free version.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

Sign up for Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates. We respect your privacy and will never share your email address with anyone else.

About Us

American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research (ISSN: 2642-1747) is an Open access online Journal dedicated in advancing the latest scientific knowledge of science, medicine, technology and its related disciplines.

Contact info

BiomedGrid LLC,
333 City Boulevard West, 17th Floor, Orange, California, 92868, USA
  +1 (626) 698-0574
  catherinenichols@biomedgrid.com

Quick Links

Home

Aim & scope

Editorial Committee

Open Access

Peer Review Process

Special Issues

Sitemap

Join Us

Online Submission

Register for Editorial Committee

Recommended a Librarian

Advertise with us

Refer a Friend

RSS Feed

© 2018 BiomedGrid, LLC, All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means as per the standard guidelines of fair use.
Creative Commons License Open Access by BiomedGrid, LLC is licensed under Creative Commons License a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.biomedgrid.com.
Best viewed in browser_icons browser_icons| Above IE 9.0 version