Browsing by Subject "Qigong"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    OA13.04. Physical health benefits of health Qigong and Energize programs in American elementary school classrooms
    (Springer Nature, 2012-06-12) Wang, C.; Seo, D.; Geib, R.; Wroblewski, N.; Van Puymbroeck, M.; Kolbe, L.; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
    Purpose: With the increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine, mind-body exercises (i.e., Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) have become more popular in the United States. In particular, numerous recent investigations have suggested the positive benefits of Qigong for cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal conditions, and stress. However, such research is largely limited to adults and the elderly. Few studies have explored the benefits of Qigong in the pediatric population. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate: (1) whether Health Qigong is effective, and (2) how effective it is compared with conventional exercise among elementary school children. Methods: A pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effects of three different modes of exercise: (1) aerobic exercise (Energize), (2) mind-body exercise (Health Qigong), and (3) conventional physical education (PE) activities, in terms of improving health during a 16-week intervention, as measured by Heart Rate (HR), Sit-and-Reach (SR), and Body Mass Index (BMI) in children. Results: One hundred and five children provided valid data from two elementary schools in Southern Indiana. Of the 105 students, 57 (35.2%) were boys. The average age was 9 years old. The repeated measures analyses of variance revealed a significant decrease in HR (F=70.54, p<.001, η2 =.409), SR (F=11.68, p<.001, η2 =.103), and BMI (F=41.97, p<.001, η2 =.292). In particular, BMI decreased more quickly from the Health Qigong group, with a mean change of 0.698 (p<.001), than the Energize (0.197, p<.05) and the PE group (0.224, p<.05). Conclusion: Health Qigong can be as effective as aerobic exercise and physical education activities in reducing HR and increasing SR among elementary school children. Given the significant reduction in BMI, Health Qigong should be further investigated on a possible mechanism to help lose body weight.
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    P03.15. Developing a Health Qigong program for children: a 16-week curriculum
    (Springer Nature, 2012-06-12) Wang, C.; Seo, D.; Geib, R.; Van Puymbroeck, M.; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
    Purpose: With the increasing use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West, Qigong has gained popularity for a variety of chronic health issues. However, there is a paucity of available literature that has systematically described the details and teaching strategies of Qigong. The purpose of this paper is three-fold: to demonstrate how to structure lesson content, to provide efficient teaching strategies, and to increase understanding of the underlying mechanisms of such programs’ potential benefits. Methods: A comprehensive literature review and a five-step process based on a theoretical framework (i.e., a formative evaluation approach) were used to develop a Health Qigong for Children program. The procedures include: (1) identifying the program, (2) developing educational strategies, (3) teaching pilot lessons, (4) consulting experts, and (5) drafting the curriculum. Results: Sixteen theme-based lesson plans were generated based on two traditional Health Qigong forms. Five promising teaching strategies were synthesized: (1) using theme-based lesson plans, (2) building mind-body connections, (3) balancing repetition and creativity, (4) interweaving pictures, stories, volunteers, and teamwork, and (5) involving parents and school teachers. Suggestions from an expert panel and student volunteers were solicited and incorporated into the program, that is, changing TCM-Based names for each Qigong movement into new names related to plants, animals, or interesting objects, and integrating some fun facts about the plants or animals into each lesson. Conclusion: The use of a theoretical framework was not only innovative but also effective. The Health Qigong for Children program has been successfully applied at several local elementary schools. Theme-based lessons and effective teaching strategies helped the Health Qigong program to be fun and age-appropriate for children. Suggestions from experts in a variety of fields strengthened the program design. The newly developed curriculum needs to be replicated with larger and various pediatric populations.
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    Physical and Psychological Effects of Qigong Exercise in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Exploratory Study
    (Elsevier, 2018-01) Chang, Pei-Shiun; Knobf, M. Tish; Oh, Byeonsang; Funk, Marjorie; School of Nursing
    Older adults need exercise programs that correspond to age-related changes. The purpose of this study was to explore preliminary effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise intervention on the physical ability, functional and psychological health, and spiritual well-being of community-dwelling older adults. Forty-five community-dwelling adults with the mean age of 74.8 years participated a 1-h Health Qigong exercise session twice weekly for 8 weeks. The majority were female (84%) and white (91%), and lived with their spouse (49%). Physical ability (p < 0.001), functional health (p = 0.001), balance (p < 0.001), functional reach (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.005), and spiritual well-being (p = 0.004) improved significantly after the 8-week intervention. Most participants perceived physical ability, mental health, and spiritual well-being benefits. No adverse events were reported. A twice weekly Qigong exercise program over 8 weeks is feasible and has potential to improve physical ability, functional health, balance, psychological health, and spiritual well-being in older adults.
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    Physical and Psychological Health Outcomes of Qigong Exercise in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    (World Scientific, 2019) Chang, Pei-Shiun; Knobf, Tish; Oh, Byeongsang; Funk, Marjorie; School of Nursing
    Physical limitations, depression and anxiety are prevalent among older adults. Mild to moderate exercise can promote physical and psychological health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Qigong, a type of Chinese traditional medicine exercise, has demonstrated beneficial effects on physical ability and mental health in adults with chronic conditions. The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the effects of Qigong exercise on physical and psychological health outcomes in older adults. A total of 1282 older adults aged 62 to 83 years with depressive symptoms, frailty or chronic medical illnesses were included in this review. The meta-analysis showed that Qigong exercise resulted in significantly improved physical ability compared with active control or usual care (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.00 and 1.20, respectively). The pooled effects of studies with thrice weekly Qigong sessions had the greatest effect (SMD=1.65) on physical ability in older adults. Lower quality studies demonstrated larger effect sizes than those of higher quality. Although Qigong exercise showed favorable effects on depression, balance and functioning, the overall effects did not reach statistical significance. No significant adverse events were reported. The findings suggest that the Qigong exercise may be an option for older adults to improve physical ability, functional ability, balance and to lessen depression and anxiety. However, the number of RCTs that enroll older adults is limited. More methodologically sound RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy of Qigong exercise on physical and psychological health in older adults with chronic illnesses.