Buddhist Awareness Training Program and Qigong Psychosocial Interventions for People With Insomnia

Comparative Effectiveness of the Mahayana Buddhist Awareness Training Program and Qigong Intervention on the Psychological and Neurological Outcomes for People With Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the efficacy of the Mahayana Buddhist Awareness Training Program (ATP) with a Qigong group in treating people with insomnia in Hong Kong. It also aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms, including changes in brain activity and heart rate variability during wakefulness, through which these two Eastern mind body interventions improve sleep quality. It is expected that ATP will be as efficacious as Qigong in enhancing sleep quality. Compared to the Qigong intervention, the more mind-based ATP will lead to more improvement in mental health and greater reductions in hyperarousal brain activity. Compared to ATP, the more body-based Qigong will lead to greater improvement in physical health and heart rate variability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (1) being a resident of Hong Kong;
• (2) age between 50 and 75 years old;
• (3) possessing the ability to read and write in Chinese;
• (4) obtaining a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score > 5 at baseline
• (5) demonstrating willingness to provide informed consent and adherence to study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) Beck Depression Inventory-II suicidal ideation score >= 2;
• (2) current use of hypnotic medications or any prescription medications that may influence sleep;
• (3) necessity to take such medications during the trial period;
• (4) ongoing therapies or clinical trials for insomnia;
• (5) intention to undergo such clinical interventions during the trial period;
• (6) working in shifts;
• (7) engagement in considerable mindfulness practices exceeding 15 minutes per day;
• (8) regular participation in different forms of Qigong, aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi, or martial arts practice at least once a week in the past six months;
• (9) limited mobility or health conditions that hinder the performance of specific Qigong movements;
• (10) currently receiving psychological, psychiatric or counselling services at least once a month;
• (11) having been diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychosis by a clinician;
• (12) having an active metal implant, pacemaker, or defibrillator in the body that affects objective assessment;
• (13) impaired skin integrity or allergies to electrode gel or adhesive at the wearable EEG device placement site;
• (14) pregnancy