QigongNCT06952166
Understanding the Psychological Benefits and Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Qigong in Older Adults
A study testing Qigong (Baduanjin), Mindfulness-based intervention and Physical exercise in people with Qigong, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
One goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance cognitive function in comparison to mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Qigong
- What is being tested?
- Qigong (Baduanjin), Mindfulness-based intervention and Physical exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 180 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 12 May 2025to 31 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 60 years or older;
- With mild or severer levels of depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-8) scores of 5 or above, or Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) depression subscale scores of 4 or above
- Self-identified as physically stable and without life-threatening diseases.
- Be able to communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin.
Who cannot join
- Have a history of practicing or receiving training of any form of mind-body or regular exercises (including tai chi, yoga, and qigong, or regular physical activity > 3 times/week) during the month prior to intervention
- Have changed medications or the dose of medications prescribed for their health condition in the one month prior to study enrollment
- Have severe cognitive or language impairment based on the assessment with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Taking medication or undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation for a psychological or psychiatric condition
- Unable to demonstrate satisfactory standing balance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Erin Lu contact
Hong Kong1 site
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Kowloon
Hector Tsang, 27666750, hector.tsang@polyu.edu.hk
About this study
One goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance cognitive function in comparison to mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control. The other goal is to explore the changes in neurobiological markers that may explain the qigong-related effects on depressive symptoms and cognitive function. The main research questions are:
- Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to alleviate depressive symptoms?
- Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to enhance cognitive function?
Participants are older adults aged 60 or above. They were randomly assigned to qigong training, mindfulness training, physical exercise training, or wait-list which all last for 12 weeks. Their changes before and after the 12-week period in depressive symptoms, neurobiological markers, and cognitive functions are assessed.
- Conditions
- Qigong
- Being tested
- Qigong (Baduanjin), Mindfulness-based intervention, Physical exercise
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Qigong (Baduanjin)Behavioural
Participants will receive 24 sessions of Baduanjin training over 12 weeks (2 sessions per week). Each session will last for 60 minutes. Baduanjin consists of eight forms of gentle movements, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete a full cycle. Participants will learn to practice each form gradually over the first 12 sessions. In the remaining 12 sessions, the participants will go through all the movements 2-3 times, with guided practice on rhythmic breathing and mind regulation (attention to body and breathing) to be performed in coordination with the movements. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.
Mindfulness-based interventionBehavioural
Participants will receive mindfulness-based intervention with the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The intervention incorporates psychoeducation on mindfulness and stress management and group-based mindfulness practice about breathing, awareness of body sensations, thoughts, stretching, and walking. All the mindfulness practices are based on publicly accessible audio recordings. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.
Physical exerciseBehavioural
Participants of the physical exercise group will receive training of a series of low-to-moderate intensity physical activities for the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The physical activities include stretching, flexibility exercise, balance exercise, and aerobic exercise. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong (Baduanjin) | Experimental | 12-week training of Baduanjin, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. Receives: Behavioral: Qigong (Baduanjin) |
| Mindfulness-based intervention | Active comparator | 12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. Receives: Behavioral: Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Physical exercise | Active comparator | 12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. Receives: Behavioral: Physical exercise |
| Waitlist control | No intervention | Participants of the waitlist control group will not receive any training while the other three group are having their interventions. After the completion of the all assessments, the participants will receive the 12-week qigong training, same as the qigong group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Depressive symptoms
The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Global cognitive function
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Secondary outcomes (10)
Serum adiponectin
Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Serum BDNF
Collected and assayed through peripheral blood sample
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Salivary cortisol
Collected and assayed through saliva sample
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Attention
Attention Network Task
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Inhibitory control
Attention Network Task
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Working memory
N-back Task
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP N2 amplitude
ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP P3 amplitude
ERP data recorded during Attention Network Task and N-back Task
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Hand grip strength
To be assessed with a Jamar handheld dynamometer
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Affect
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Apr 2025
- Study start12 May 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for QigongStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, TSANG Hector Wing-Hong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06952166
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 15104721-2
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Understanding the Psychological Benefits and Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Qigong in Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06952166
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 15104721-2
- Conditions
- Qigong
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 May 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
One goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of qigong to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance cognitive function in comparison to mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control. The other goal is to explore the changes in neurobiological markers that may explain the qigong-related effects on depressive symptoms and cognitive function. The main research questions are:
- Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to alleviate depressive symptoms?
- Is the 12-week qigong training more effective than mindfulness-based intervention, physical exercise, and waitlist control to enhance cognitive function?
Participants are older adults aged 60 or above. They were randomly assigned to qigong training, mindfulness training, physical exercise training, or wait-list which all last for 12 weeks. Their changes before and after the 12-week period in depressive symptoms, neurobiological markers, and cognitive functions are assessed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong (Baduanjin) | Experimental | Behavioral: Qigong (Baduanjin)12-week training of Baduanjin, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
| Mindfulness-based intervention | Active comparator | Behavioral: Mindfulness-based intervention12-week training of mindfulness-based breathing, walking, and stretching practices, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
| Physical exercise | Active comparator | Behavioral: Physical exercise12-week training of stretching, flexibility exercise, and balance exercise, with two sessions per week. Each session lasts for 60 min. |
| Waitlist control | No intervention | –Participants of the waitlist control group will not receive any training while the other three group are having their interventions. After the completion of the all assessments, the participants will receive the 12-week qigong training, same as the qigong group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 60 years or older;
- With mild or severer levels of depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-8) scores of 5 or above, or Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) depression subscale scores of 4 or above
- Self-identified as physically stable and without life-threatening diseases.
- Be able to communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Have a history of practicing or receiving training of any form of mind-body or regular exercises (including tai chi, yoga, and qigong, or regular physical activity > 3 times/week) during the month prior to intervention
- Have changed medications or the dose of medications prescribed for their health condition in the one month prior to study enrollment
- Have severe cognitive or language impairment based on the assessment with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Taking medication or undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, or psychoeducation for a psychological or psychiatric condition
- Unable to demonstrate satisfactory standing balance
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong (Baduanjin)Participants will receive 24 sessions of Baduanjin training over 12 weeks (2 sessions per week). Each session will last for 60 minutes. Baduanjin consists of eight forms of gentle movements, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete a full cycle. Participants will learn to practice each form gradually over the first 12 sessions. In the remaining 12 sessions, the participants will go through all the movements 2-3 times, with guided practice on rhythmic breathing and mind regulation (attention to body and breathing) to be performed in coordination with the movements. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. | Behavioural | Qigong (Baduanjin) |
| Mindfulness-based interventionParticipants will receive mindfulness-based intervention with the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The intervention incorporates psychoeducation on mindfulness and stress management and group-based mindfulness practice about breathing, awareness of body sensations, thoughts, stretching, and walking. All the mindfulness practices are based on publicly accessible audio recordings. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. | Behavioural | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Physical exerciseParticipants of the physical exercise group will receive training of a series of low-to-moderate intensity physical activities for the same duration and frequency as qigong group. The physical activities include stretching, flexibility exercise, balance exercise, and aerobic exercise. The training will be delivered by an instructor after training by the project team. | Behavioural | Physical exercise |
Primary outcome
Depressive symptoms
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire
Global cognitive function
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
10 secondary outcomes
Serum adiponectin
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Serum BDNF
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Salivary cortisol
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Attention
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Inhibitory control
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Working memory
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP N2 amplitude
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
ERP P3 amplitude
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Hand grip strength
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Affect
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Erin Lu contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Qigong (Baduanjin), Mindfulness-based intervention and Physical exercise in people with Qigong, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Hector Tsang (27666750, hector.tsang@polyu.edu.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Depressive symptoms (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Apr 2025.