Serum cytokines, mood and sleep after a qigong program: is qigong an effective psychobiological tool?
Juan M Manzaneque, Francisca M Vera, Francisco M Rodriguez, Gaspar J Garcia, Laura Leyva, Maria J Blanca
Journal of Health Psychology January 2009 DOI: 10.1177/1359105308097946 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Qigong |
| Duration | 1-month qigong training program |
| Measures | SSQ |
| Key points | One month of qigong practice did not alter serum TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma levels, but the authors report it enhanced psychological well-being, including sleep duration, based on before-and-after measures of anxiety, depression, and subjective sleep quality. |
Abstract
Qigong is an ancient Chinese psychosomatic exercise that integrates movement, breathing and meditation into a single multifaceted practice. The present study was designed to assess the effects of qigong practice on serum cytokines, mood and subjective sleep quality. Experimental participants underwent a qigong training program for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, and several instruments to assess anxiety and depression symptoms as well as SSQ, were obtained before and after the program. Our findings revealed that while the practice of qigong for one month did not alter serum cytokines, it enhanced psychological well-being, including sleep duration.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Meditation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review RAND Corporation eBooks 2015
- Meditative movement for depression and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2013
- Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Depression and Anxiety June 14, 2012