Acute Physiological and Psychological Effects of Qigong Exercise in Older Practitioners.
Author: Lin CY1,2,3, Wei TT4, Wang CC2, Chen WC3, Wang YM3, Tsai SY5
Affiliation:
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Rd., Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
2Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, No. 542, Sec. 1, Chung-Shan Rd., Changhua, Taiwan.
3Department of Nuclear Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, No. 542, Sec. 1, Chung-Shan Rd., Changhua, Taiwan.
4Society of Chinese Bioenergy Medical Qigong, No. 130-1, Nanyuan St., North District, Tainan City, Taiwan.
5Naturopathic Medicine Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135 Nanhsiao Street, Changhua City, Taiwan.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2018 Apr 2
Other:
Volume ID: 2018 , Pages: 4960978 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2018/4960978. eCollection 2018. , Word Count: 201
Qigong is a gentle exercise that promotes health and well-being. This study evaluated the acute physiological and psychological effects of one session of qigong exercise in older practitioners. A total of 45 participants (mean age, 65.14 years) were recruited. Meridian electrical conductance, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), heart rate variability (HRV), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) were evaluated and compared before and after one session of qigong exercise. The results revealed that the electrical conductance of all meridians, except spleen and bladder meridians, increased significantly (p < 0.05). Compared with baseline values, upper to lower body ratio and sympathetic/vagal index were significantly improved and closer to 1 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.007, resp.). STAI-S and STAI-T scores decreased significantly (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, resp.). The RR interval of HRV decreased significantly (p = 0.035), a significant positive correlation was observed between kidney meridian electrical conductance and SF-36 physical scores (r = 0.74, p = 0.018), and a positive correlation was observed between pericardium meridian electrical conductance and SF-36 mental scores (r = 0.50, p = 0.06). In conclusion, one session of qigong exercise increased meridian electrical conductance, reduced anxiety, and improved body and autonomic nervous system balance. These findings provide scientific evidence for acute physiological and psychological effects of qigong exercise in older practitioners.
PMID: 29805467 PMCID: PMC5902057 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4960978
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