Determinants of a fall in average monthly medical care spending after practicing YanXin Qigong: Evidence-based study with medical claims data

Background

Qigong is the foundation and an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as traditional Chinese technologies for promoting and preserving health and wellness. YanXin Qigong (YXQG) integrates advanced traditional Chinese Qigong with modern scientific exploration and was recommended to the general public by the Chinese government agencies in 1998. It was introduced to North America in early 1990s. A body of substantial experimental studies has shown the health effects of YXQG at molecular, cellular, and microorganism levels. A longitudinal study with medical claims data obtained from a government agency found that average monthly medical spending of YXQG practitioners had a significant fall after practicing YXQG.

Methods

Using different statistical methods, we investigate the question that what factors may have determined a fall of average monthly medical spending after practicing YXQG with the same longitudinal data. The seven-year medical claims data include monthly medical spending information for a group of YXQG practitioners who lived in Canada. A dichotomous outcome variable is constructed to indicate whether an individual’s average monthly medical spending after practicing YXQG is lower than that before practicing YXQG. Independent variables include the length of practicing YXQG and practitioners’ socio-demographic characteristics. Logit models are adopted in regression analyses. 

Results

The length of practice YXQG had a significant and positive effect on the likelihood of reduction in the average monthly medical spending among the YXQG practitioners. The average medical spending of an individual prior to practicing YXQG also played an important role on the matter.