The Treatment of Depressed Chinese Americans Using Qigong in a Health Care Setting: A Pilot Study.

Author: Yeung A, Slipp LE, Jacquart J, Fava M, Denninger JW, Benson H, Fricchione GL.
Affiliation:
Benson Henry Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA ; Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, USA ; South Cove Community Health Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2013
Other: Volume ID: 2013 , Pages: 168784 , Word Count: 204



Background. This pilot study examined the feasibility and efficacy of providing Qigong treatment in a health center to Chinese Americans with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods. Fourteen Chinese Americans with MDD were enrolled, and they received a 12-week Qigong intervention. The key outcome measurement was the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17); the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and -Improvement (CGI-I), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were also administered. Positive response was defined as a decrease of 50% or more on the HAM-D17, and remission was defined as HAM-D17 ≤ 7. Patients' outcome measurements were compared before and after the Qigong intervention. Results. Participants (N = 14) were 64% female, with a mean age of 53 (±14). A 71% of participants completed the intervention. The Qigong intervention resulted in a positive treatment-response rate of 60% and a remission rate of 40% and statistically significant improvement, as measured by the HAM-D17, CGI-S, CGI-I, Q-LES-Q-SF, and the family support subscale of the MSPSS. Conclusions. The Qigong intervention provided at a health care setting for the treatment of primary care patients with MDD is feasible. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.
PMID: 23690836 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Free full text

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