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One goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance cognitive function in comparison to mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control. The other goal is to explore the changes in neurobiological markers that may explain the qigong-related effects on depressive symptoms and cognitive function. The main research questions are:
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.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qigong (Baduanjin) | Experimental | 12-week training of Baduanjin, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
|
| Mindfulness-based intervention | Active Comparator | 12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
|
| Physical exercise | Active Comparator | 12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
|
| Waitlist control | No Intervention | Participants of the waitlist control group will not receive any training while the other three group are having their interventions. After the completion of the all assessments, the participants will receive the 12-week qigong training, same as the qigong group. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qigong (Baduanjin) | Behavioral | Participants will receive 24 sessions of Baduanjin training over 12 weeks (2 sessions per week). Each session will last for 60 minutes. Baduanjin consists of eight forms of gentle movements, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete a full cycle. Participants will learn to practice each form gradually over the first 12 sessions. In the remaining 12 sessions, the participants will go through all the movements 2-3 times, with guided practice on rhythmic breathing and mind regulation (attention to body and breathing) to be performed in coordination with the movements. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Depressive symptoms | The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Global cognitive function | Montreal Cognitive Assessment | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Serum adiponectin | Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Serum BDNF | Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hector Tsang | Contact | 27666750 | hector.tsang@polyu.edu.hk | |
| Erin Lu | Contact | erin.lu@polyu.edu.hk |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences | Kowloon | Hong Kong |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D064906 | Qigong |
| D015444 | Exercise |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001945 | Breathing Exercises |
| D026441 | Mind-Body Therapies |
| D000529 | Complementary Therapies |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
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|
| Mindfulness-based intervention | Behavioral | Participants will receive mindfulness-based intervention with the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The intervention incorporates psychoeducation on mindfulness and stress management and group-based mindfulness practice about breathing, awareness of body sensations, thoughts, stretching, and walking. All the mindfulness practices are based on publicly accessible audio recordings. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. |
|
| Physical exercise | Behavioral | Participants of the physical exercise group will receive training of a series of low-to-moderate intensity physical activities for the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The physical activities include stretching, flexibility exercise, balance exercise, and aerobic exercise. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. |
|
| Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Salivary cortisol | Collected and assayed through saliva sample | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Attention | Attention Network Task | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Inhibitory control | Attention Network Task | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Working memory | N-back Task | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| ERP N2 amplitude | ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| ERP P3 amplitude | ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Hand grip strength | To be assessed with a Jamar handheld dynamometer | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| Affect | Positive and Negative Affect Schedule | Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline) |
| D026241 |
| Exercise Movement Techniques |
| D026741 | Physical Therapy Modalities |
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| D009068 | Movement |
| D009142 | Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena |
| D055687 | Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena |