Researchers in Hong Kong conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the psychosocial effects of Qigong on elderly with depression (Tsang et al., 2006). A total of 82 participants with depression or obvious features of depression were involved in the study. The intervention group had Qigong practice for 16 weeks. The comparison group joined a newspaper reading group with the same duration and frequency.
The study found that after 8 weeks of Qigong practice, the intervention group participants had significant improvement in mood, self-efficacy and personal well being, and physical and social domains of self-concept, in comparison with the control group. After 16 weeks of practice, the improvement of the Qigong group included the daily task domain of the self-concept.
These findings indicate that regular Qigong practice can relieve depression and benefit self-efficacy and personal well being in elderly patients with chronic illness and depression. Further studies are needed to confirm the result and find out the mechanisms.
Reference:
Tsang, H. W., Fung, K. M., et al. (2006) Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 21, 890-897.
