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Abstract #155066

Xin Yan, MD¹, Hua Shen², Charles Loh³, Jianzhong Shao³, Yuhong Yang, PhD⁴, Jun Wang, PhD², and Chunling Lu, PhD⁵. (1) The Institute of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicinec, c/o New Medical Science Research Institute, 250 W. 57th St. 1003, New York, NY 10107, (2) New Medical Science Research Institute, 250 W. 57th St. 1003, New York, NY 10107, (3) Vancouver Yan Xin Life Science & Technology Center, P.O.BOX 3333, Vancouver, BC V6B 3Y3, Canada, (4) School of Statistics, University of Minnesota, 224 Church Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (612) 626-8337, yyang@stat.umn.edu, (5) Global Health Initiative, Harvard University, 104 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, MA 02138

Introduction: Yan Xin Qigong (YXQ) originated from Traditional Chinese Qigong, which has been considered as an effective technology to improve health and treat diseases in China. Previous studies including long-term clinical observations have demonstrated a health benefit to patients. Scientific studies conducted at cellular and molecular level have suggested that it could be an effective approach to treating various diseases. Limited studies based on self-reported information indicate that participants' perceived health status improved.

Purpose: To evaluate effects of YXQ on participants' health condition using claims data collected from medical providers.

Method: 253 YXQ participants in Vancouver at Canada obtained their Medical Claims History Record from Ministry of Health in Vancouver. The time frame of the data is from 1995 to 2002. The claims record includes ICD-9 codes, which enables us to identify disease categories related to each visit. We use number of visits for a specific disease as the proxy for condition improvement: more visits in one year indicate worsening of the disease. The independent variables include personal characteristics and information of participating YXQ. A regression model with random effects is used in analysis. The panel data allows us controlling for unobserved time-invariant confounding factors.

Results: Participating in YXQ has significant negative effects on the number of visits, indicating an improvement in health among participants that may be linked to YXQ.

Conclusion: This study is consistent with findings obtained from previous studies.

Learning Objectives:

• - Apply the method to similar research.
• - Discuss the health effect of YXQ.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.