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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
106
12-week training of Baduanjin (or named Eight-Section Brocades), with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Depressive symptoms
The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Global cognitive function
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Serum adiponectin
Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Serum BDNF
Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Salivary cortisol
Collected and assayed through saliva sample
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Attention
Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Inhibitory control
Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Working memory
N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP N2 amplitude
ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP P3 amplitude
ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
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