Neurophysiological RCT of Qigong in Elderly With Depression

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Depression

Treatments

Behavioral: Exercise

Behavioral: Qigong

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05000788

HSEARS20210611001

Details and patient eligibility

About

Summary of Project:

Elderly depression is a common mood disorder and the individuals will have persistent low mood and self-absorption that adversely affect their quality of life. Cognitive deficits including attention and executive function are commonly seen in elderly with depression. Qigong, a mind-body practice, is found to have an anti-depressive effect and improve cognitive functions. Yet, the underlying mechanism is still elusive. Hence, the present study aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial to investigate how the practice of Eight-Section Brocades, a type of qigong, affects the function of the central nervous system in elderly with depression, as measured by fNIRS. A total of 60 elderly (based on power analysis 80% (β= 0.20) chance (α = 0.05, two-tailed)), aged 65 or above, with depressive mood as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) will be recruited and randomly assigned to the treatment (eight-section brocades) and control (exercise) groups. We anticipate that this ancient Chinese mind-body based practice will result in (1) decreased depressive moods and improved cognitive functions, and (2) acute changes in the functional brain activation patterns in the PFC in elderly with depression. The results of this study will shed light on the neurophysiological underpinnings of the therapeutic effects associated with qigong, which will be invaluable for designing intervention for elderly with depression.

Enrollment

60 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

65 to 80 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Elderly aged 65 years or above with depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Exclusion criteria

Current positive history of head injury, seizure, stroke, other CNS diseases, other comorbid psychiatric illness, or reports of strong suicidal ideation.