Acceptability and Feasibility of a Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV

Author: Gladys E Ibañez1,2, Shyfuddin Ahmed3, Nan Hu4, Linda Larkey5, Kristopher P Fennie3, Micaela Lembo3, Laura Huertas3
Affiliation:
1 Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Fl, 33199, USA. gibanez@fiu.edu.
2 Natural Sciences Division, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Fl, 34243, USA. gibanez@fiu.edu.
3 Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Fl, 33199, USA.
4 Department of Biostatistics, Florida International University, Miami, Fl, 33199, USA.
5 Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
Conference/Journal: AIDS Behav
Date published: 2023 Aug 19
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s10461-023-04158-1. , Word Count: 159


Tai chi/qigong (TCQ) is a low impact, meditative movement with breathwork that may benefit people with HIV (PWH) over 50 years old. This study is a feasibility clinical trial of a remote TCQ intervention for older PWH. Participants (n = 48) were recruited via clinic sites and social media and randomized to a TCQ, sham qigong, or wait-list control group. The 12-week intervention included fourteen 45-60-minute sessions. Acceptability (satisfaction, attitudes, practice, attendance) and feasibility (retention rate, adverse events, remote delivery) data were surveyed. Overall retention rate was 72.9%, but 81.2% for the TCQ group. Most TCQ participants attended at least 10 sessions (62.5%) and were practicing TCQ after 2 weeks (72.7%). Over 92% of TCQ participants reported satisfaction and positive attitudes and preferred remote versus in person delivery (63.6%). Two mild intervention related adverse events occurred. Findings suggest that a remote TCQ intervention is acceptable, feasible, and safe among older PWH.

Keywords: Intervention; Older adults; People living with HIV; Qigong; Tai chi.

PMID: 37597056 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04158-1

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