Effects of Qigong Exercise on Physical and Psychological Health among African Americans
Author: Pei-Shiun Chang1, Yvonne Lu2, Chi Mai Nguyen1, Youngnok Suh1, Mary Luciani2, Susan Ofner3, Savannah Powell1
Affiliation:
1 Department of Community and Health Systems, School of Nursing, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States.
2 School of Nursing, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
3 Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Conference/Journal: West J Nurs Res
Date published: 2020 Sep 18
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/0193945920959067. , Word Count: 155
Interventions are needed to address physical and psychological health in middle-aged and older African Americans (AAs). The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of an eight-week Qigong exercise on physical ability and function, balance, frailty, depression and anxiety, and spiritual well-being in AAs using a single-group design. Fifteen AAs with a mean age of 64 years received Qigong exercise over 16 semi-weekly, one-hour sessions. The majority were female (93.3%) and college-level educated (53.3%). Repeat chair stands, physical function, and spiritual well-being improved significantly (p < .05) with effect sizes ranging from .45 to .87. Over 52% of participants showed improved depression scores, fast gait speed, and standing balance. Nearly 42% demonstrated some frailty improvement over baseline. No adverse events were reported. Qigong exercise potentially improves the physical ability and function, and spiritual well-being of AAs and needs further testing in a randomized clinical trial.
Keywords: African American; Qigong exercise; physical ability; physical function; spiritual well-being.
PMID: 32942949 DOI: 10.1177/0193945920959067
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