NCT06804408

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

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 106 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Qigong

Interventions

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

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-05-01
• Primary completion: 2024-05-31
• Completion: 2024-08-31
• First posted: 2025-02-03
• Last updated: 2025-02-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong