Myeloma Fatigue, Mood, Immune Therapy?

Myeloma fatigue, mood, and immune therapy? All at the same time with one single therapy? How can that be???

A diagnosis of multiple myeloma can bring physical side effects such as fatigue and a weakened immune system or mental side effects from the ups and downs of remissions and relapses. How can myeloma patients alleviate these challenges?

According to the study linked below, Tai Chi/Chi Gong can. I found the video below to explain several basic tai chi exercises for the beginner. There are many easy-to-follow videos posted on the internet for the MM survivor who wants to learn more about Tai Chi.

Tai Chi for Beginners | Warm Up & Flexibility Exercises | Best Instructional Video Tai Chi Series

How can Tai Chi help cancer survivors?

Tai Chi can offer a wide range of physical, psychological, and physiological benefits to cancer survivors. Its slow, mindful movements—combined with breathing and mental focus—have been studied in various populations, including those recovering from cancer treatment. Here’s how Tai Chi can help:

1. Physical Benefits

Improved Balance and Mobility: Especially important for survivors experiencing neuropathy, fatigue, or deconditioning from chemotherapy or radiation.
Reduced Fatigue: Tai Chi has been shown in multiple trials to significantly reduce cancer-related fatigue.
Enhanced Strength and Flexibility: Gentle movements help regain physical function without overwhelming the body.
Pain Management: Can reduce musculoskeletal pain, particularly in breast and prostate cancer survivors.

2. Psychological Benefits

Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Tai Chi is associated with reduced levels of anxiety and depression, which are common during survivorship.
Improved Sleep Quality: Mind-body interventions like Tai Chi have been shown to improve sleep latency and quality in cancer patients.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Multiple studies report overall improvements in quality of life scores, including emotional and social well-being.

3. Immune and Inflammatory Effects

Immune Function: Some studies show increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and enhanced antibody response—important for long-term health.
Reduced Inflammation: Tai Chi can lower pro-inflammatory markers like IL-6 and CRP, which are often elevated in cancer survivors and linked to fatigue and recurrence risk.

4. Cognitive Benefits

Reduced “Chemo Brain”: Tai Chi may improve executive function and working memory, potentially countering cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy.

5. Long-Term Survivorship Support

Sustainable Activity: Because it is low-impact and adaptable, Tai Chi is ideal for long-term adherence, especially for older adults or those with limited mobility.
Social Engagement: Group Tai Chi can foster community, reducing isolation—a major concern for many survivors.

Evidence Base

A 2016 systematic review in Cancer found that Tai Chi improves fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
A 2020 meta-analysis in Supportive Care in Cancer found Tai Chi effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue in various cancer types.
A 2023 RCT in JAMA Oncology showed improved cognitive performance in older breast cancer survivors practicing Tai Chi compared to stretching.

Summary

Tai Chi is a well-tolerated, evidence-based, mind-body therapy that can support physical recovery, emotional resilience, cognitive function, and immune health in cancer survivors. It is especially valuable as a long-term, low-risk lifestyle strategy to promote holistic recovery.

I am a long-term myeloma survivor. I often tell people that I wish I knew then what I know now. In this case, I wish that I had begun practicing Tai Chi as I was working to recover from my ASCT.

Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com to learn more about managing your MM with both conventional and evidence-based non-conventional therapies.

David Emerson

MM Survivor
MM Cancer Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Cancer Health (MATCH) Study: Primary Outcomes of a Preference-Based Multisite Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Abstract

Purpose

Many cancer survivors have high levels of distress and psychosocial symptoms. Two mind-body interventions for treating these problems are Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ). However, while both interventions show efficacy compared with usual care, they have never been studied together. This trial was the first, to our knowledge, to incorporate innovative design features including patient choice while evaluating two interventions to treat distressed cancer survivors.

Methods

A preference-based multisite randomized comparative effectiveness trial design with broad pragmatic inclusion criteria was used. Participants with a preference for either MBCR or TCQ received their preferred intervention, while those without a preference were randomly assigned 1:1 into either intervention. Furthermore, participants were all randomly assigned 2:1 into immediate intervention or waitlist control. Total mood disturbance (TMD) on the Profile of Mood States after intervention was the primary outcome.

Results

Five hundred eighty-seven participants provided baseline data, 75% were female, with an average age of 60.7 years. Of 12 cancer types, the most prevalent were breast (40.7%), prostate (11.2%), and GI (9.7%) cancers. Most had stage 0-II (50.1%) diagnoses, with 17% having more advanced disease. Approximately two thirds had a preference, with 57% of those choosing TCQ and 43% choosing MBCR. The remaining 36% were equally randomly assigned. Choosing a specific program or choosing to be randomly assigned had no significant effect on outcomes. Both the combined random assignment and preference MBCR and TCQ groups improved more than their respective waitlists on TMD scores with small to medium effects. The largest improvements occurred for MBCR on subscales of tension, anger, and vigor and in TCQ on anger, depression, and vigor.

Conclusion

This large, pragmatic trial demonstrated both mindfulness and TCQ interventions improved mood in distressed cancer survivors, whether they chose a program or chose to be randomly assigned.

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Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission