Liuzijue Qigong training enhances early pulmonary function recovery after esophageal cancer surgery

Q: What is the main goal of using early “Liuzijue” training after radical esophagectomy?

To evaluate its effects on pulmonary function and the incidence of pneumonia after esophagectomy.

Q: How was the study designed and what were the comparison groups?

This retrospective study included 306 patients. The control group received standard care, while the intervention group received standard care plus twice-daily “Liuzijue” training for 14 days.

Q: What outcomes improved with “Liuzijue” training, and what did not?

The intervention group had a significantly lower pneumonia incidence and greater improvements in key pulmonary function measures (ΔFVC, ΔFEV1, ΔMVV), while diffusing capacity, total lung capacity, and 6-minute walk distance showed no significant differences.

Sep 28, 2026

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Esophageal cancer surgery carries a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, especially pneumonia. Conventional respiratory rehabilitation, including preoperative inspiratory muscle training, has shown limited efficacy. This study evaluates whether early postoperative “Liuzijue” Qigong training improves pulmonary function and reduces pneumonia incidence after radical esophagectomy. A total of 306 patients received standard care, with 14-day twice-daily Liuzijue added in the intervention group, assessing pneumonia rates and pulmonary function outcomes through postoperative day 14.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Aim

Methods

Participants and interventions

Outcomes

Results

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Core Tip

| W | J | G | S | World Journal of
Gastrointestinal Surgery | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) World J Gastrointest Surg 2025 December 27; 17(12): 113408 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i12.113408 ISSN 1948-9366 (online) ORIGINAL ARTICLE Retrospective Study "Liuzijue" Qigong training enhances early pulmonary function recovery after esophageal cancer surgery Yu Bai, Zhi-Long Zhang, Lei Qiao, Ling-Ling Shi, Jian Wang, Hui Nian, Qian-Cheng Du, Zhi-Hao Tian, Zi-Long Yao, Yi-Bin Wu Specialty type: Gastroenterology and hepatology Provenance and peer review: Unsolicited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s classification Scientific Quality: Grade B, Grade B Novelty: Grade B, Grade B Creativity or Innovation: Grade B, Grade B Scientific Significance: Grade B, Grade B P-Reviewer: Zhou Y, DM, Professor, China Received: August 25, 2025 Revised: September 13, 2025 Accepted: November 7, 2025 Published online: December 27, 2025 Processing time: 122 Days and 21.3 Hours Yu Bai, Zhi-Hao Tian, Yi-Bin Wu, Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China Zhi-Long Zhang, Jian Wang, Hui Nian, Qian-Cheng Du, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China Lei Qiao, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China Ling-Ling Shi, Zi-Long Yao, Department of Nursing, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China Corresponding author: Yi-Bin Wu, MD, Associate Chief Physician, Director, Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, No. 366 Longchuan North Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200031, [China.](China. didi_2001_328@sina.com)[ didi_2001_328@sina.com](China. didi_2001_328@sina.com) Abstract BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer surgery is associated with a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, particularly pneumonia. Although conventional respiratory rehabilitation strategies – such as preoperative inspiratory muscle training – have demonstrated limited efficacy, the low-intensity traditional Chinese Qigong practice "Liuzijue" (Six-Character Formula) shows promise. However, robust clinical evidence supporting its use in patients undergoing esophagectomy remains lacking. AIM To evaluate the effects of early postoperative "Liuzijue" training on pulmonary function and pneumonia incidence following radical esophagectomy. METHODS This retrospective study included 306 patients who underwent esophagectomy. The control group (n = 163) received standard care, consisting of abdominal breathing, incentive spirometry, and early ambulation. The intervention group (n = 143) received the same standard care plus twice-daily "Liuzijue" training for 14 days. Primary outcomes were the incidence of pneumonia (defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria) and changes (Δ) in forced vital capa- WJGS [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 1 December 27, 2025 Volume 17 Issue 12 Bai Y et al. "Liuzijue" Qigong enhances post-esophagectomy pulmonary recovery city (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) from baseline to postoperative day 14. RESULTS The "Liuzijue" intervention was associated with a significantly lower incidence of pneumonia (11.9% vs 24.5%, P = 0.005; relative risk = 0.48). Significant improvements were observed in ΔFVC (+502.1 mL vs +326.5 mL, P < 0.001),ΔFEV1 (+701.7 mL vs +434.4 mL, P < 0.001), and ΔMVV (+19.4 L/minute vs +14.4 L/minute, P < 0.001) . Absolute FEV1 values on postoperative day 14 were higher in the intervention group (2270.8 mL vs 2066.1 mL, P = 0.021), along with significantly lower Borg dyspnea/fatigue scores (P = 0.045) . No significant differences were observed in changes in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, to

FAQs

What is the main goal of using early “Liuzijue” training after radical esophagectomy?

To evaluate its effects on pulmonary function and the incidence of pneumonia after esophagectomy.

How was the study designed and what were the comparison groups?

This retrospective study included 306 patients. The control group received standard care, while the intervention group received standard care plus twice-daily “Liuzijue” training for 14 days.

What outcomes improved with “Liuzijue” training, and what did not?

The intervention group had a significantly lower pneumonia incidence and greater improvements in key pulmonary function measures (ΔFVC, ΔFEV1, ΔMVV), while diffusing capacity, total lung capacity, and 6-minute walk distance showed no significant differences.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper