B. MAHIEU
 
 

The experiment concerns 18 silicotic patients treated and monitored from. May to September 1982, including 14 pitface workers.
Average age: 51.6 years.
Average exposure duration: 16.6 years.
Average duration of the disease: 11.7 years.

The treatment consists in daily collective practice of qi gong for 2 V2hours a day in three sessions.

Treatment efficacy is analysed with respect to

• The functional symptoms and the sensation of general well-being: positive results.
• Laboratory examinations on red globules, hepatic; function, renal function, seric proteins, blood coagulation: no significant evolution.
• Monitoring of arterial tension, of temperature, and of weight: no significant change, except a slight decrease in arterial pressure, particularly diastolic pressure. The apparently low weight of the patients is to be noted 56 kg).
• Monitoring of radiological images: no change in the nodular images characteristic of silicosis. The authors report only a slight fading of the pulmonary shadows at the level of the hila in four cases.

The authors conclude: 'there is clear efficacy as regards the improvement of the general state and the clinical symptoms, with an improvement of the short breath of silicotic patients'. They acknowledge there is no improvement of radiologically visible lesions but note with satisfaction there is no worsening.

Comment by Mr. MAHIEU

• The sample is very little: 18 cases. This may well surprise us given the large number of silicotic patients in China and the widespread practice of qi gong there.
• The experiment lasted only four to five months. That is clearly insufficient: to assess radiological changes. At least four to five years would have been necessary.
• The population is special: it started to be exposed around 1967 at the average age of 35 years... are they 'intellectuals' shifted to the productive sector during the Cultural Revolution? Their silicosis appeared very rapidly: approximately five years after the beginning of exposure. We have every right to imagine the dire labour conditions.
• The medical monitoring does not include any functional respiratory exploration that would help assess the evolution of the respiratory insufficiency.
• The improvement felt by the patients is similar to that observed among miners from the Nord - Pas-de-Calais departments of France during the 'trial to prevent the worsening of pneumoconioses by inhaled soluble aluminium salts', which has been put down to breathing re-training and the positive psychological impact of the interest shown in these patients. Also, in his speech on respiratory rehabilitation, Dr PUJET clearly underlined, at the beginning of the day, the beneficial effects of physical exercise in itself
• None of the laboratory examinations; carried out have anything to do with silicosis on first sight.
  

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