Main themes

Main themes

Patients and TCM professionals expressed similar views
regarding the use and perceived advantages of TCM in
cancer care. Four main themes emerged.

participants saw TCM as healing-orientated, ‘focusing on
activating the natural reserves and re-building the resistance
of body, so the effect is long-term rather than transient’.
Several participants also claimed that ‘TCM is
important for recovery since it can enhance the immune
system.’
Benefits of group intervention
Patients felt stressed,
depressed and isolated when hospitalized. They believed
that these emotional stressors are harmful to the health
and impede healing. The group practice of qigong provided
a good opportunity and an open environment where
patients could exchange information, share experiences
and encourage each other. Participants felt that qigong
was a good form of exercise that was especially helpful to
build up energy, resistance and confidence for fighting the
cancer.