External Qi therapy to treat symptoms of Agent Orange Sequelae in Korean combat veterans of the Vietnam War

Am J Chin Med. 2004;32(3):461-6. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X04002119.

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of Qi therapy as a non-pharmacological treatment for various symptoms presented by Korean combat veterans of the Vietnam War with Agent Orange Sequelae. Nine subjects volunteered to receive 30 minutes of Qi therapy, twice per day for 7 days. There was marked improvement in 89% of the patients with impaired physical activity, 86% of those with psychological disorder, 78% of those with heavy drug use, and 67% of those with fatigue, indigestion and high blood glucose levels. This data suggests that Qi therapy combined with conventional treatment has positive effects in reducing and managing the pain, psychosomatic disorders, and substance abuse in patients with Agent Orange Sequelae. We cannot completely discount the possible influence of the placebo effect, and more objective, clinical measures are needed to study the long-term effects of Qi therapy.

MeSH terms

  • 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / toxicity*
  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / toxicity*
  • Agent Orange
  • Defoliants, Chemical / toxicity*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Disabled Persons / psychology
  • Dyspepsia / etiology
  • Dyspepsia / therapy
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / therapy
  • Humans
  • Korea / ethnology
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / toxicity*
  • Qi*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Vietnam
  • Warfare

Substances

  • Defoliants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
  • Agent Orange
  • 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid