Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression
Author: Tsang HW//Fung KM//Chan AS//Lee G//Chan F
Affiliation:
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Conference/Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
Date published: 2006 Sep
Other:
Volume ID: 21 , Issue ID: 9 , Pages: 890-97 , Word Count: 154
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.
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