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Acceptability and Feasibility of a Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV

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Abstract

Tai chi/qigong (TCQ) is a low impact, meditative movement with breathwork that may benefit people with HIV (PWH) over 50 years old. This study is a feasibility clinical trial of a remote TCQ intervention for older PWH. Participants (n = 48) were recruited via clinic sites and social media and randomized to a TCQ, sham qigong, or wait-list control group. The 12-week intervention included fourteen 45–60-minute sessions. Acceptability (satisfaction, attitudes, practice, attendance) and feasibility (retention rate, adverse events, remote delivery) data were surveyed. Overall retention rate was 72.9%, but 81.2% for the TCQ group. Most TCQ participants attended at least 10 sessions (62.5%) and were practicing TCQ after 2 weeks (72.7%). Over 92% of TCQ participants reported satisfaction and positive attitudes and preferred remote versus in person delivery (63.6%). Two mild intervention related adverse events occurred. Findings suggest that a remote TCQ intervention is acceptable, feasible, and safe among older PWH.

Resumen

Tai chi/qigong (TCQ) es un movimiento meditativo de bajo impacto con ejercicios de respiración que puede beneficiar personas que viven con VIH (PVV) mayores de 50 años. Este estudio es un ensayo clínico de viabilidad que evalúa una intervención de TCQ administrada remotamente para personas mayores que viven con VIH. Participaron personas (n = 48) reclutadas en clínicas y redes sociales, asignadas aleatoriamente a un grupo de TCQ, qigong falso, o control en lista de espera. La intervención duró 12 semanas con catorce sesiones de 45 a 60 minutos. Se encuestaron datos sobre aceptabilidad (satisfacción, actitudes, práctica, asistencia) y viabilidad (retención, eventos adversos, entrega remota). La tasa de retención general fue del 72,9%, pero del 81,2% para el grupo de TCQ. La mayoría de los participantes de TCQ asistieron a al menos 10 sesiones (62,5%) y continuaron practicando después de 2 semanas (72,7%). La satisfacción y las actitudes positivas hacia la intervención fueron reportadas por más del 92% de los participantes de TCQ quienes prefirieron la participación remota contra clases en persona (63,6%). Dos eventos adversos leves relacionados con la intervención ocurrieron. Los resultados sugieren que una intervención de TCQ administrada de forma remota es aceptable, viable y seguro para personas mayores que viven con VIH.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge our collaborators, Care Resources Community Health Centers, the Borinquen Healthcare Centers, Positive Connections, and Trialfacts; and Brenda Lerner, Thuy-Thuong Nguyen, and Galilea Mayorga. This work was funded by grant number R34 AT009966 from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, Fl, 33199, USA

    Gladys E. Ibañez, Shyfuddin Ahmed, Kristopher P. Fennie, Micaela Lembo & Laura Huertas

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Florida International University, Miami, Fl, 33199, USA

    Nan Hu

  3. Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Linda Larkey

  4. Natural Sciences Division, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Fl, 34243, USA

    Gladys E. Ibañez

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  1. Gladys E. Ibañez
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Correspondence to Gladys E. Ibañez.

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Ibañez, G.E., Ahmed, S., Hu, N. et al. Acceptability and Feasibility of a Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV. AIDS Behav 28, 1291–1300 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-023-04158-1

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