The effects of qigong on reversal of aging process in some aspects of psychological functioning

Some negative affections as depression, solitude existed in elderly, because of changed physiological conditions and social status. Sleeping disorders to some and cerebral vascular diseases (CVD) are the common disease (CHD) in elderly. The incidence of CHD and CVD is associated with type A behaviour pattern. Poor stability of action and slow in action and thinking process were frequently observed in elderly. In order to know whether qigong is useful to improve psychological changes mentioned above 122 subjects who have practiced qigong more then two years with age of 65.0 ± 4.9 were used as qigong group. Ninety subjects who never practiced qigong with age of 65.0 ± 4.4 were used as control group. The results of self rating depression scales (SDS) and self rating anixiety scales (SAS) showed that the scores of SDS and SAS were lower in qigong group than those in control group significantly (Table 1).

Table 1 The results of SDS and SAS

Group n SDS SAS
Qigong 122 41.7 ± 7.2 36.3 ± 6.0
Control 90 47.0 ± 10.0''' 40.0 ± 7.1'''

t test ''' p < 0.001

A sleeping inventory was designed by us, the content of this inventory includes the quantity and quality of sleeping. The quantity means the hours of sleeping time, the quality incudes the following items: the subJective feeling after sleeping, difficulty to fall asleep after awakening and administration of sleeping pill etc. The results showed that the sleeping quality is better in qigong group than those in control group (Tab 2).

Table 2 The results of sleeping inventory

Group n sleeping time(hour) sleeping quality(score)
Qigong 122 6.5 ± 1.1 11.4 ± 3.2
Control 90 6.8 ± 1.2 13.7 ± 3.8'''

t test ''' p < 0.001

The results of inventory of behaviour pattern showed that the subjects of type A plus A- was 39.3 percent in qigong group 51.1 percent in control group. The subjects of type A plus A- behaviors pattern was less in qigong group than those in control group, but no significant difference was found (X=3.875 p>005). The score of TH plus CH was 28.1 ± 8.6 in 63 subjects who have practiced qigong for 2-4 years, but only 23.1 ± 7.6 in 51 subjects who have practiced qigong for 5-7 years. It suggests that maybe much longer duration to practice qigong for the effect of change on Type A behaviour pattern is necessary.

An equipment with nine holes with different diameter (12, 8, 6, 5, 5.4, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5 mm) was asked to test the stability of action. The subjects were asked to insert a prob into each hole without touching the margin of the hole as possible. The numbers of touching were recorded automatically. The results showed that the numbers of touching was fewer in qigong group. The difference of touching the margin between qigong and control group was significant in some holes.

The results of paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) and writing as well. The results showed that all of the scores in four different speed of presented stimuli in qigong group were higher than those in control group, but no significant difference between them was found.

All of these results suggest that practicing qigong is useful to improve symptom of depression and anxiety, the quality of sleeping, change of A behaviour pattern and stability of action in elderly.