Author: So WWY1, Cai S2, Yau SY1, Tsang HWH1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Psychiatry.
Date published: 2019 Nov 18
Other:
Volume ID: 10 , Pages: 820 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00820. eCollection 2019. , Word Count: 237
Objective: An increasing number of studies have shown the anti-depressive effect of qigong. However, its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on the mechanism of qigong in reducing depression. Method: The review process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomized controlled trials of qigong were searched from PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Academic Search Premier from inception to December 2018. Studies which involved depression and any neurophysiological or psychological mechanisms as outcomes were included. Publication bias was tested before conducting meta-analysis. Two independent raters were involved for the entire review process. Results: A total of nine studies were identified which covered both neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms. Among these selected studies, seven were involved in meta-analysis, which suggested that qigong was effective in alleviating depression (standardized mean difference, SMD = -0.27, p < 0.05, I 2 = 27%). A significant effect was also found for diastolic blood pressure (SMD = -1.64, p < 0.05, I 2 = 31%). However, no significant effect was found for cortisol level and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: This review shows that qigong is effective in reducing depression through activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Future studies with higher quality of research methodology with less selection and attrition bias should be conducted to unravel the possible anti-depressive effect of qigong.
Copyright © 2019 So, Cai, Yau and Tsang.
KEYWORDS: anti-depressive; complementary and alternative medicine; depression; neurophysiological mechanism; qigong
PMID: 31824346 PMCID: PMC6880657 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00820