Peer-Reviewed Research: The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Enhancing Body-Mind Wellbeing
Peer-Reviewed Research: The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Enhancing Body-Mind Wellbeing
The journal article titled "The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Enhancing Body-Mind Wellbeing" by Yvonne Wai Yi Chow (2011) presents a comprehensive study on the potential therapeutic effects of qigong practice on psychological and physiological well-being. This randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted with middle-aged adults, provides insight into qigong's impact on stress reduction, anxiety alleviation, and overall quality of life.
Summary
The study involved 34 participants in an 8-week qigong program, with two control groups comprising 31 individuals on a waitlist and 34 participants from a psychology class. A variety of outcome measures were assessed, including mood states (using DASS-21), quality of life (using ChQOL), and physiological indicators like salivary cortisol levels and blood pressure. The data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) over four points: weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12.
Key Findings
Significant Reduction in Cortisol Levels: By week 8, there was a notable decrease in cortisol levels in the qigong group compared to the waitlist group, with F = 5.733 and p = 0.02. This suggests that qigong has a significant stress-reducing effect.
Blood Pressure: Participants who practiced qigong showed a significant reduction in blood pressure (F = 4.587, p = 0.036) compared to the waitlist group.
Mood and Quality of Life: By week 12, significant differences were observed between the qigong group and the two control groups across all DASS-21 scales (F = 6.377, p = 0.014), ChQOL scales (F = 6.042, p = 0.017), cortisol levels, and blood pressure. Qigong participants experienced better mood states and quality of life.
Sustained Improvements: Follow-up assessments in week 12 showed that the qigong group's improvements were maintained or enhanced, indicating the long-term benefits of qigong practice.
Strengths and Unique Contributions
Holistic Approach: This study stands out for its integration of both psychological and physiological measures, offering a comprehensive understanding of how qigong affects body-mind well-being.
Use of Standardized Protocols: The study's qigong protocol was standardized and systematically structured, which is crucial for reproducibility and comparing results with other interventions.
Limitations
Sample Size and Generalizability: Although the study yielded promising results, the sample size is relatively small. More extensive studies would be needed to generalize these findings to a broader population.
Control Groups: The psychology group was not randomized, which could have influenced the results. Also, the comparison might have been more informative if there were more diverse control groups.
Conclusion
The study provides robust evidence that qigong can be an effective intervention for reducing stress and anxiety while enhancing body-mind well-being. The combination of psychological and physiological measures strengthens the credibility of the findings, making this research a valuable contribution to the field of complementary and alternative therapies.
Reference
Chow, Y. W. Y. (2011). The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Enhancing Body-Mind Wellbeing(Doctoral dissertation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University).
For more information on how practices like Qigong and meditation influence mental and physical health, please head over to www.jadedragon.org.
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