Qigong programme among community-dwelling older adults at risk of depression: A randomised controlled study

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Qigong programme on depression of older adults with mild-moderate depression. The experimental study was conducted at the Public Health Service Centre (PHS) in two randomised districts of Bangkok, Thailand from October to December 2017. This parallel, randomised controlled trial compared the Qigong programme with the usual singing and praying activities among older adults at mild-to-moderate risk of depression. The Qigong programme was based on mind-body exercises incorporate mindful breathing. The intervention group underwent a 3 sessions/week 12-week course of Qigong exercises while the control group participated in singing and praying with the same duration and frequency. The outcome measure was the change in the TGDS from baseline to 12 weeks. Data analysis was conducted using STATA. The outcome data are available for all randomized subjects, all analyses were conducted as intention-to-treat. The Qigong programme was highly significant (−9.88 score points; 95% CI −11.62 to −8.13; p < 0.001) than the control group in reducing depression scores at 12 weeks. Depression score decreased (10.39 score points; 95% CI −11.77 to −9.02; p < 0.001) only in the Qigong group. These findings support the Qigong programme was effective in reducing depression score both in mild and moderate depression community-dwelling older adults. The Qigong programme appears to confer greater improvements than the usual program.