title: The treatment of depressed chinese americans using qigong in a health care setting: a pilot study.
abstract: Background. This pilot study examined the feasibility and efficacy of providing Qigong treatment in a health center to Chinese Americans with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods. Fourteen Chinese Americans with MDD were enrolled, and they received a 12-week Qigong intervention. The key outcome measurement was the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17); the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and -Improvement (CGI-I), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were also administered. Positive response was defined as a decrease of 50% or more on the HAM-D17, and remission was defined as HAM-D17 ≤ 7. Patients' outcome measurements were compared before and after the Qigong intervention. Results. Participants (N = 14) were 64% female, with a mean age of 53 (±14). A 71% of participants completed the intervention. The Qigong intervention resulted in a positive treatment-response rate of 60% and a remission rate of 40% and statistically significant improvement, as measured by the HAM-D17, CGI-S, CGI-I, Q-LES-Q-SF, and the family support subscale of the MSPSS. Conclusions. The Qigong intervention provided at a health care setting for the treatment of primary care patients with MDD is feasible. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Benson Henry Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA ; Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, USA ; South Cove Community Health Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Slipp
authors.forename: Jolene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacquart
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Denninger
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Fricchione