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

NCT ID: NCT06804408

Last Updated: 2025-02-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

106 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-05-01

Study Completion Date

2024-08-31

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Qigong

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Qigong

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Qigong

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Mindfulness-based Training

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

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Mindfulness-based training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Low-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.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Low-to-moderate intensity physical exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Waitlist

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.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Qigong

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-based training

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Low-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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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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.
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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TSANG Hector Wing-Hong

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Kowloon, , Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

Other Identifiers

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15104721-1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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