Qigong
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALQigong
12-week training of Baduanjin (or named Eight-Section Brocades), with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
BEHAVIORALMindfulness-based training
12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
BEHAVIORALLow-to-moderate intensity physical exercise
12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
Sponsors
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Global cognitive function | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Montreal Cognitive Assessment |
| Depressive symptoms | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Salivary cortisol | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Collected and assayed through saliva sample |
| Attention | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups |
| Inhibitory control | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups |
| Serum adiponectin | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample |
| ERP N2 amplitude | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups |
| ERP P3 amplitude | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups |
| Working memory | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups |
| Serum BDNF | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) | Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample |
Countries
Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed