Objectives This retrospective study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Eight Part Vajra Gong, a mind–body exercise rooted in traditional Chinese-based mind–body exercise, in mitigating pain and improving health-related quality of life among patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods A total of 180 patients clinically diagnosed with OA were enrolled and categorized into an intervention group with exercise habits (n = 90) and a control group without exercise habits (n = 90) based on their physical activity patterns. Patients in the intervention group practiced Eight Part Vajra Gong for 20 min, two to three times per week. Data were collected over a 24-month period (2023–2024). Outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for joint function, and the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for health-related quality of life. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of a 24-month intervention period. Results The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in VAS pain scores, WOMAC scores for joint function, and SF-36 scores for quality of life compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No serious adverse events were reported during the study period. Conclusion Eight Part Vajra Gong may serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving pain, joint function, and quality of life in individuals with OA. Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term benefits and underlying mechanisms of this therapeutic modality. <Table Float="No" ID="Taba"> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec align="left" colname="c1" colnum="1" /> <colspec align="left" colname="c2" colnum="2" /> <tbody> <row> <entry align="left" nameend="c2" namest="c1"> Key Points • This retrospective study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Eight Part Vajra Gong in postmenopausal women with mild knee/hip osteoarthritis. • The intervention significantly mitigated pain and enhanced quality of life over a 24-month period. • Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the long-term benefits and mechanisms of this therapeutic modality. </entry> </row> </tbody> </tgroup> </Table>

Effectiveness of Eight Part Vajra Gong in alleviating pain and enhancing quality of life among patients with osteoarthritis: a retrospective study

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发表日期：

2026年3月18日

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Yuan-Jian Dai,
Jin-Lin Li,
Min Li,
Ying Zhou,
Juan-Juan Yan,
Wen Sun,
Qiao-Hong Pan,
Huan Xiao

摘要

Objectives

This retrospective study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Eight Part Vajra Gong, a mind–body exercise rooted in traditional Chinese-based mind–body exercise, in mitigating pain and improving health-related quality of life among patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A total of 180 patients clinically diagnosed with OA were enrolled and categorized into an intervention group with exercise habits (n = 90) and a control group without exercise habits (n = 90) based on their physical activity patterns. Patients in the intervention group practiced Eight Part Vajra Gong for 20 min, two to three times per week. Data were collected over a 24-month period (2023–2024). Outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for joint function, and the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for health-related quality of life. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of a 24-month intervention period.

Results

The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in VAS pain scores, WOMAC scores for joint function, and SF-36 scores for quality of life compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No serious adverse events were reported during the study period.

Conclusion

Eight Part Vajra Gong may serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving pain, joint function, and quality of life in individuals with OA. Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term benefits and underlying mechanisms of this therapeutic modality.

Key Points

• This retrospective study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Eight Part Vajra Gong in postmenopausal women with mild knee/hip osteoarthritis.

• The intervention significantly mitigated pain and enhanced quality of life over a 24-month period.

• Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the long-term benefits and mechanisms of this therapeutic modality.