Unpacking the "Mind" and "Body" Pathways of the Antidepressant Effect of Qigong in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Qigong

Treatments: Behavioral: Qigong; Behavioral: Mindfulness-based training; Behavioral: Low-to-moderate intensity physical exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06804408

15104721-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goals of the study are to explore the neurobiological mechanisms and cognitive benefits of qigong in older adults. The main research questions are:

• Does 12-week qigong training lead to significant enhancement in serum adiponectin, serum BDNF and significant reduction in salivary cortisol?
• Does 12-week qigong training bring significant improvement in global cognitive function?

Participants are older adults aged 60 or above. They were randomly assigned to qigong training, mindfulness training, physical exercise training, or wait-list which all last for 12 weeks. Their changes before and after the 12-week period in depressive symptoms, neurobiological markers, and cognitive functions are assessed.

Enrollment: 106 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 60 years or older;
• With mild or severer levels of depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-8) scores of 5 or above, or Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) depression subscale scores of 4 or above
• Self-identified as physically stable and without life-threatening diseases.

Exclusion criteria

• With a history of practicing or receiving training of any form of mind-body or regular exercises (including tai chi, yoga, and qigong, or regular physical activity > 3 times/week) during the month prior to study enrollment
• Having changed medications or the dose of medications prescribed for their health condition in the month prior to study enrollment
• With severe cognitive or language impairment as defined as a score of less than 21 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-5min)
• Undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation for a psychological or psychiatric condition
• Unable to demonstrate satisfactory standing balance.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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106 participants in 4 patient groups

Qigong

Experimental group

Description:

12-week training of Baduanjin (or named Eight-Section Brocades), with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Qigong

Mindfulness-based Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Mindfulness-based training

Low-to-moderate Intensity Physical Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Low-to-moderate intensity physical exercise

Waitlist

No Intervention group

Description:

No training while the other three group are receiving training. Participants of this group are allowed to have Qigong, Mindfulness-based Training, or Low-to-moderate Intensity Physical Exercise after they complete all the assessments.