Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06804408

Unpacking the "Mind" and "Body" Pathways of the Antidepressant Effect of Qigong in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

The goals of the study are to explore the neurobiological mechanisms and cognitive benefits of qigong in older adults. The main research questions are:

* Does 12-week qigong training lead to significant enhancement in serum adiponectin, serum BDNF and significant reduction in salivary cortisol? * Does 12-week qigong training bring significant improvement in global cognitive function?

Participants are older adults aged 60 or above. They were randomly assigned to qigong training, mindfulness training, physical exercise training, or wait-list which all last for 12 weeks. Their changes before and after the 12-week period in depressive symptoms, neurobiological markers, and cognitive functions are assessed.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Qigong

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 60 years or older;
  • With mild or severer levels of depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-8) scores of 5 or above, or Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) depression subscale scores of 4 or above
  • Self-identified as physically stable and without life-threatening diseases.

Exclusion criteria

  • With a history of practicing or receiving training of any form of mind-body or regular exercises (including tai chi, yoga, and qigong, or regular physical activity > 3 times/week) during the month prior to study enrollment
  • Having changed medications or the dose of medications prescribed for their health condition in the month prior to study enrollment
  • With severe cognitive or language impairment as defined as a score of less than 21 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-5min)
  • Undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation for a psychological or psychiatric condition
  • Unable to demonstrate satisfactory standing balance.

Treatment and study plan

Qigong

Behavioral

12-week training of Baduanjin (or named Eight-Section Brocades), with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Mindfulness-based training

Behavioral

12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Low-to-moderate intensity physical exercise

Behavioral

12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min.

Primary outcomes

  1. Depressive symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire

  2. Global cognitive function

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Serum adiponectin

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample

  2. Serum BDNF

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample

  3. Salivary cortisol

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Collected and assayed through saliva sample

  4. Attention

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

  5. Inhibitory control

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    Attention Network Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

  6. Working memory

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

  7. ERP N2 amplitude

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

  8. ERP P3 amplitude

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)

    ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task; Only collected from participants of Qigong and Waitlist groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.