title: Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This report released findings of a randomized controlled trial conducted in Hong Kong to further our understanding of the psychosocial effects of qigong on elderly persons with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two participants with a diagnosis of depression or obvious features of depression were recruited and randomly assigned into the intervention and comparison group. The intervention group was given a 16-week period of Qigong practice while the comparison group participated in a newspaper reading group with same duration and frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After eight weeks of qigong practice, the intervention group participants outstripped themselves in improvement in mood, self-efficacy and personal well being, and physical and social domains of self-concept when compared with comparison subjects. After 16 weeks of practice, the improvement generalized to the daily task domain of the self-concept.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report shows that regular qigong practice could relieve depression, improve self-efficacy and personal well being among elderly persons with chronic physical illness and depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong. rshtsang@polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Hector W H
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Kelvin M T
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Ashley S M
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Fong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome