It is expected that by 2030, the percentage of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) in Canada over 60 years of age will exceed 50%. In this population, poor cognition and persistent sub-threshold depressive symptoms are particularly common, difficult to treat, associated with increased mood episodes, and poor daily functioning. Mind-body interventions have increasingly been found to be effective in treating several psychiatric condition including BD. A few pilot studies examining mindfulness-based intervention in younger adult BD have been promising for depressive symptoms, but some pilot research suggest that patients with older age bipolar disorder (OABD) may benefit more from moving mindfulness. The investigators will conduct a 12-week randomized controlled trial to assess whether tai-chi/qigong will be associated with 1) greater reduction in depressive symptoms, and 2) greater improved cognition, in comparison to a light exercise active control condition, 12- and 24-weeks from baseline, in BD patients aged 40+.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged greater than or equal to 40 years
• history of diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder
• access to a computer with a functioning camera, microphone, and ability to run Zoom software
• English or French speaking
• ability to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Young Mania Rating Scale score > 5
• current clinician diagnosis of substance abuse, unless currently in complete remission
• risk of suicide as assessed by a score above 3 on item 10 of Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale
• participation or plan to participate in any other concurrent psychosocial group program during course of study
• unstable psychiatric medication (less than 4-weeks since commencement)

Data from the study will be sent to the Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE-BD). The objective of GAGE-BD is to gather data from research studies about older adults (age 50+) with bipolar disorder to allow researchers from the Douglas Institute, or other researchers, in Canada, the United States and around the world, to use the database for future research projects exploring possible relationships between age, medical conditions and bipolar symptoms. Following completion of data collection, the data including all outcomes and demographic and health information, anonymized and free of any identifying or personal information, will be sent to Dr. Betsy Wilson (more info on Dr. Wilson further below) via Box (https://case.edu/utech/help/knowledge-base/box/box-information), a secure cloud storage service managed by Case Western University.

The data will be available June 2021 (anticipated), and will be kept at GAGE-BD indefinitely.

All researcher-users involved in GAGE-BD agree not to communicate or transfer data to anyone. They agree not to use the data for a research study that is not approved by the GAGE-BD management or a Research Ethics Board.