The Effect of Adapt Qigong vs. Breathing Exercises on Stress and Pain in Office Workers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparing short breaks for office Workers: A Pilot RCT study on Qigong-Buddhist rhythmic breathing exercises for stress reduction, pain relief, and habit formation

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

TCTR

Registry ID

TCTR20260530008

Enrollment

Registered

2026-05-30

Start date

2026-06-08

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stress / Work-Related Stress, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Office Syndrome Stress, Psychological, Occupational Stress

Interventions

Breath-Synchronized Adapt Qigong with Buddhist Walking: A 2-minute, structured, standing exercise designed to be performed in a small space near the participant&#039

s desk. The intervention integrates mindful movement with synchronized breathing. The protocol consists of a sequence of slow, controlled movements: stepping forward, shifting weight, and a single-leg

s desk. The intervention is designed to induce a relaxation response through controlled respiration. Includes: 1)Abdominal Breathing (60 seconds): Participants perform 6 cycles of diaphragmatic breath

Experimental Behavioral,Active Comparator Behavioral

Qigong Walking Group,Breathwork Group

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

20 Years to 60 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Office staff who sit at work and use a computer for at least 6 hours per day 2. Aged between 20 and 60 years

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Have mobility limitations that impede exercise, e.g., severe osteoarthritis 2. Have a history of, or currently regularly practice, yoga, qigong, or breath work (at least once per week for the past 3 months) 3. Pregnant

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Feasibility at the end of the 4-week study recruitment rates, intervention adherence logs, and participant retention rates	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Stress Baseline, Daily, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Pain Baseline, 1/week, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Respiration rate 5 minutes before and after first training session, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Polar 10 chest strap,Productivity Baseline, 1/week, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Well Being Baseline, Daily, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5),Habit Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Self-Report Habit Index, SRHI,Subjective experience Week 4 at the end of intervention Debrief questionnaire,Stress Baseline, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10),Heart Rate Variability 5 minutes before and after first training session, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Polar H10 chest strap	—

Measure

Time frame

Stress Baseline, Daily, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Pain Baseline, 1/week, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Respiration rate 5 minutes before and after first training session, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Polar 10 chest strap,Productivity Baseline, 1/week, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Visual Analogue Scale,Well Being Baseline, Daily, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5),Habit Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Self-Report Habit Index, SRHI,Subjective experience Week 4 at the end of intervention Debrief questionnaire,Stress Baseline, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10),Heart Rate Variability 5 minutes before and after first training session, Week 4 at the end of intervention, 1 month after end of the intervention Polar H10 chest strap

—

Countries

Thailand

Contacts

Public ContactWachiraporn Padungkiettiwong

Hong Kong Baptist University

wachiraporn.njutcm@gmail.com0819817391

Outcome results

None listed

Source: TCTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 10, 2026