Abstract
Objectives: This report released findings of a randomized controlled trial conducted in Hong Kong to further our understanding of the psychosocial effects of qigong on elderly persons with depression. Design: Eighty-two participants with a diagnosis of depression or obvious features of depression were recruited and randomly assigned into the intervention and comparison group. The intervention group was given a 16-week period of Qigong practice while the comparison group participated in a newspaper reading group with same duration and frequency. Results: After eight weeks of qigong practice, the intervention group participants outstripped themselves in improvement in mood, self-efficacy and personal well being, and physical and social domains of self-concept when compared with comparison subjects. After 16 weeks of practice, the improvement generalized to the daily task domain of the self-concept. Conclusions: This report shows that regular qigong practice could relieve depression, improve self-efficacy and personal well being among elderly persons with chronic physical illness and depression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 890-897 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2006 |
Keywords
- Depression
- Elderly
- Psychosocial health
- Qigong
- Rehabilitation outcome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health