title: Biochemical and psychometric evaluation of Self-Healing Qigong as a stress reduction tool among first year nursing and midwifery students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise, has a potential role in the management of stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of Qigong training on depression, anxiety and stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised control trial among first year student participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qigong was practised twice a week by the study group (n = 18) while a control group (n = 16) had no intervention. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) and Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ) were administered. Salivary biomarkers were also measured over a 10-week period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 10 weeks, only the Qigong group showed a statistically significant improvement in their depression, anxiety and stress scores. Similarly, increases in secretion rates of salivary immunoglobulin-A, and decreases in salivary cortisol concentrations were seen only in the Qigong group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The practice of Qigong improves psychological states and mucosal immunity; as indicated by psychometric tests and biochemical markers of stress.
authors.affiliation: PAPRSB Institute of Health Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam. Electronic address: eesuen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ee Suen
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Yan Choo
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Rozita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hj Tamin
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fredericks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery; D011594:Psychometrics; D064906:Qigong; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Anxiety; Cortisol; Depression; Qigong; Stress