Clinical Research Directory

Qigong and Multicomponent Exercise in Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a psychiatric disease characterized by recurrent panic attacks that occur in expected or unexpected situations and create feelings of intense fear, restlessness and discomfort. Panic disorder often has a chronic course, its frequency and severity can be irregular, various physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms can develop, and the quality of life of individuals can decrease significantly. Evidence-based psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are effective in reducing the symptoms of panic disorder and managing the disorder. However, both of these treatment methods have certain limitations, and approximately one-third of patients do not respond to therapy or the response is not sufficiently effective. Delaying treatment of the disease results in a poor prognosis and more established symptoms. Exercise can be viewed as a low-cost, supportive treatment for relieving symptoms with comparable efficacy to medication and other psychological interventions. Although exercise is recommended for patients with anxiety-panic disorder, there remains uncertainty about whether its effects are sustainable, the type and intensity of exercise required for effective treatment, and thus the effects of qigong and multicomponent exercise on multiple health outcomes in panic disorder. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Qigong exercise training and multicomponent exercise training on anxiety-panic, balance, mobility, walking, functional strength, physical activity, sleep quality, fatigue, chronic musculoskeletal pain, quality of life and cognition.

Understanding the Psychological Benefits and Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Qigong in Older Adults

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.