Understanding the Psychological Benefits and Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Qigong in Older Adults

NCT06952166 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 15104721-2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

One goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance cognitive function in comparison to mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control. The other goal is to explore the changes in neurobiological markers that may explain the qigong-related effects on depressive symptoms and cognitive function. The main research questions are:

• Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to alleviate depressive symptoms?
• Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to enhance 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.

Conditions

Qigong

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Depressive symptoms

  The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

• Global cognitive function

  Montreal Cognitive Assessment

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Serum adiponectin

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

• Serum BDNF

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

• Salivary cortisol

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

• Attention

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

• Inhibitory control

  Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

Study Arms (4)

Qigong (Baduanjin)

EXPERIMENTAL

12-week training of Baduanjin, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Behavioral: Qigong (Baduanjin)

Mindfulness-based intervention

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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

Behavioral: Mindfulness-based intervention

Physical exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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

Behavioral: Physical exercise

Waitlist control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants of the waitlist control group will not receive any training while the other three group are having their interventions. After the completion of the all assessments, the participants will receive the 12-week qigong training, same as the qigong group.

Interventions

Qigong (Baduanjin) BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive 24 sessions of Baduanjin training over 12 weeks (2 sessions per week). Each session will last for 60 minutes. Baduanjin consists of eight forms of gentle movements, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete a full cycle. Participants will learn to practice each form gradually over the first 12 sessions. In the remaining 12 sessions, the participants will go through all the movements 2-3 times, with guided practice on rhythmic breathing and mind regulation (attention to body and breathing) to be performed in coordination with the movements. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.

Qigong (Baduanjin)

Mindfulness-based intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive mindfulness-based intervention with the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The intervention incorporates psychoeducation on mindfulness and stress management and group-based mindfulness practice about breathing, awareness of body sensations, thoughts, stretching, and walking. All the mindfulness practices are based on publicly accessible audio recordings. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.

Mindfulness-based intervention

Physical exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants of the physical exercise group will receive training of a series of low-to-moderate intensity physical activities for the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The physical activities include stretching, flexibility exercise, balance exercise, and aerobic exercise. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.

Physical exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.
• Be able to communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin.

You may not qualify if:

• Have 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 intervention
• Have changed medications or the dose of medications prescribed for their health condition in the one month prior to study enrollment
• Have severe cognitive or language impairment based on the assessment with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
• Taking medication or undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation for a psychological or psychiatric condition
• Unable to demonstrate satisfactory standing balance

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Qigong; Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Breathing Exercises; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Hector Tsang

CONTACT

27666750; hector.tsang@polyu.edu.hk

Erin Lu

CONTACT

erin.lu@polyu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 23, 2025
• First Posted: April 30, 2025
• Study Start: May 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Last Updated: April 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)