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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Qigong

• Registration Number: NCT06804408
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief 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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-05-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-05-31
• Study Completion: 2024-08-31
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-27
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 106

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Depressive symptoms	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire
Global cognitive function	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Serum adiponectin	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Serum BDNF	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Salivary cortisol	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Collected and assayed through saliva sample
Attention	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Inhibitory control	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
Working memory	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
ERP N2 amplitude	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups
ERP P3 amplitude	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)	ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; 🇭🇰 Kowloon, Hong Kong