Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression

Wing Hong Hector Tsang, Kelvin M.T. Fung, Ashley S.M. Chan, Grace Lee, Fong Chan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

156 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)890-897
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume21
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2006

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Elderly
  • Psychosocial health
  • Qigong
  • Rehabilitation outcome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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