Bio-psycho-social Pathways Underlying the Effects of Qigong Among Comorbid Depressed Elderly With Chronic Conditions

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University35 enrolled

Overview

Depression and chronic medical conditions are common in older adults. Qigong is increasingly documented to have anti-depressive effects for older adults. Nevertheless, the scientific concepts behind qigong remain a mystery. To fill the knowledge gap, the neurobiological mechanism of the effects of qigong was explored. In addition, the benefits of qigong on subjective well-being, functional independence, sleep quality, mobility, and muscle strength were also tested. After random assignment, intervention group (n = 14) went through individual qigong exercise twice a week and for 12 weeks,whereas control group (n = 16) was involved in cognitive training activities with mobilization elements. The psychosocial, physical, and neurobiological outcomes of the two groups were compared.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Disease Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * aged 60 or above * have been suffering from chronic medical conditions for more than one year * have depressive symptoms as indicated by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS ≥ 6) Exclusion Criteria: * have practiced or received training of any form of mind-body exercises (including tai chi, yoga, and qigong) during the 6 months prior to intervention. * have changed medication or the dosage prior to or during intervention * have obvious cognitive and language impairment or score less than 20 in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) * undergo electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation * cannot demonstrate satisfactory sitting balance

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is used to assess the experience of depressive symptoms. The frequency of each symptom was indicated based on a 4-point scale (0 = never; 3 = almost every day). A total score ranged from 0 to 27 can be derived, with higher score indicating severer depressive symptoms.

Time frame: the change from baseline to the completion of intervention (12 weeks later)

Secondary Outcomes

Salivary Cortisol Level

measured with saliva sample obtained 5 times (07:00, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30, and 18:00) at two consecutive days at baseline and 12 weeks after baseline

Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks after baseline

Brain Deprived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Level

measured with peripheral blood samples (10 ml) collected in the morning

Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks after baseline

Serotonin 5-HT Level

measured with serum extracted from blood samples. Around 2-3 ml of serum is harvested per 5 ml of blood.

Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks after baseline

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item scale to measure symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with 7 items for each. Each item is measured with 4-point from 0 (never) to 3 (almost always). The scores of depression, anxiety, and stress are the sum of all subscale items, and it can range from 0 to 21. Higher score shows more severity of depression, anxiety, and stress.