Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), widely known as “long COVID,” is a persistent, debilitating condition without established treatments that substantially affects quality of life. Qigong, a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), may offer a novel therapeutic option for PASC. This study aimed to understand participants’ subjective experiences of qi and any perceived changes in PASC symptoms following participation in a clinical trial that combined group-based internal and external qigong sessions.A qualitative investigation was conducted with 26 participants who took part in a pilot feasibility trial examining qigong for PASC symptom management. The intervention involved six weekly sessions, each lasting two hours, combining internal movement-based and external qigong practices in a group setting. Upon completing the program, participants underwent semi-structured interviews. The recordings were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using conventional content analysis to explore participants’ perceptions of qi, their experience with the qigong sessions, and the perceived impact on well-being and PASC-related symptoms.Participants’ descriptions of qi varied considerably. Nearly all participants (92%) reported sensing qi during the sessions, describing a range of physical and energetic sensations. Around 75% reported improvements in at least one PASC-related symptom, with fatigue, cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), and sleep disturbances being most frequently noted. A majority (85%) also described enhanced overall well-being. Many participants highlighted the value of the group-based format as a positive element of their experience.The intervention was generally well-received, with most participants reporting awareness of qi and improvements in PASC symptoms and overall well-being. These findings suggest that combined internal and external qigong, delivered in a group format, could serve as a complementary therapy for individuals with PASC. However, given the small sample size and single instructor, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further research with larger, diverse populations is needed to rigorously assess the effects of qigong in this context.
