Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress and Anxiety and Enhancing Body–Mind Well-being

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Mindfulness Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stress-related comorbid illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, hypertension, and heart disease are responsible for considerable disability worldwide. Using a combination of psychological and physiological approaches, the intent of this study was to investigate whether practicing qigong helps to reduce stress and anxiety, thus enhancing body–mind well-being. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Thirty-four healthy middle-aged adults participated in an 8-week qigong program. Their outcomes were compared with 31 matched subjects in the wait list control group. The outcome measures included measures of mood states (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS-21)), quality of life (ChQOL), and physiological measures of stress (salivary cortisol level and blood pressure). GLM was used to analyze the data of the two groups collected in the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. In week 8, the treatment group had significant reduction in cortisol level and blood pressure when compared with the control group. In week 12, the qigong group had significant positive changes in the DASS-21 scales, the ChQOL scales, cortisol level, and blood pressure when compared with the control group. In general, the qigong group enjoyed better quality of life, had more positive affect, lower cortisol levels and blood pressure than the control group. The present findings support that qigong has a positive effect on reducing stress and anxiety and enhancing body–mind well-being. In this study, we restructured a traditional qigong exercise into a systematic workout structure and demonstrated its positive impact on mood regulation as illustrated by both psychological and physiological measures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berger, B. G., & Owen, D. R. (1988). Stress reduction and mood enhancement in four exercise modes: swimming, body conditioning, Hatha yoga, and fencing. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 59(2), 148–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. A., Chorpita, B. F., Korotitsch, W., & Barlow, D. H. (1997). Psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in clinical samples. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35, 79–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, K. S. (2009). The elementary principles of qigong [in Chinese]. Hong Kong: HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, B. M. Y., Lo, J. L. F., Fong, D. Y. T., Chan, M. Y., Wong, S. H. T., Wong, V. C. W., et al. (2005). Randomized controlled trial of qigong in the treatment of mild essential hypertension. Journal of Human Hypertension, 19, 697–704.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, K. S. (1997). The way of qigong: the art and science of Chinese energy healing. New York: Ballantine Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croog, S. H., Levine, S., Testa, M. A., Brown, B., Bulpitt, C. J., Jenkins, C. D., et al. (1986). The effects of antihypertensive therapy on the quality of life. New England Journal of Medicine, 314, 1657–1664.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Du, Z. Y., Zhang, J. Z., Li, X. G., & Dai, X. M. (1992). Cardiovascular effects of different qigong [in Chinese]. Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine, 11(1), 32–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel, G. L. (1980). The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. American Journal of Psychiatry, 137, 525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, L., & Schinke, S. P. (2007). Complementary alternative medicine use among Chinese Americans: findings from a community mental health service population. Psychiatric Services, 58(3), 402–404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forge, R. L. (2005). Aligning mind and body: exploring the disciplines of mindful exercise. ACMS’S Health & Fitness Journal, 9(5), 7–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, J. M., Hasley, J. P., Liu, H., Severn, D. G., Conner, L. H., & Adler, L. E. (2008). Qigong stress reduction in hospital staff. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(8), 939–945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haslam, C., Brown, S., Atkinson, S., & Haslam, R. (2003). Patients’ experiences of medication for anxiety and depression: effects on working life. Family Practice, 21, 204–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, H. Z., Li, D. L., Xi, W. B., & Zhang, C. L. (1999). A “stress meter” assessment of the degree of relaxation in qigong versus non-qigong meditation. Frontier Perspectives, 8(1), 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong Kong Research Association (2009). The influence of economic tsunami to Hong Kong citizens. (In Chinese). Hong Kong Research Association. Retrieved from: www.rahk.org/research/research01.asp#484 Accessed 26 March 2009.

  • Hong, S. H., Tao, Z., Han, L. T., Yue, Q. A., Xu, S. Z., Zhang, G. X., et al. (1990). A synthetic study of qigong on the internal effects of human [in Chinese]. Acta Academiae Medicinae Weifang, 12(2), 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, B. J., & Liu, H. F. (2008). The effect of Baduanjin on the physical and psychological health of university students [in Chinese]. Journal Of Mudanjiang Medical College, 29(1), 89–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hui, P. N., Wan, M., Chan, W. K., & Yung, P. M. B. (2006). An evaluation of two behavioral rehabilitation programs, qigong versus progressive relaxation, in improving the quality of life in cardiac patients. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 12(4), 373–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. (2008). China: Chan Mi Gong; whether it is related to Tai Chi; whether it is illegal to practice in China, 28 February 2008. CHN102776.E. Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/49b92b552.html Accessed 11 Nov 2010.

  • Johansson, M., & Hassmén, P. (2008). Acute psychological responses to Qigong exercise of varying durations. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 36(3), 449–458.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. M. (2001). Changes in cytokine production in healthy subjects practicing Guolin qigong: a pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1(1), 8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lan, C., Chou, S. W., Chen, S. Y., Lai, J. S., & Wong, M. K. (2004). The aerobic capacity and ventilatory efficiency during exercise in qigong and tai chi chuan practitioners. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 32(1), 141–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Ryu, H., & Chung, H. T. (2000). Stress management by psychosomatic training: effects of ChunDoSunBup Qi-training on symptoms of stress: a cross-sectional study. Stress Medicine, 16, 161–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Huh, H. J., Hong, S. S., Jang, H. S., Ryu, H., Lee, H. S., et al. (2001). Psychoneuroimmunological effects of Qi-therapy: preliminary study on the changes of level of anxiety, mood, cortisol and melatonin and cellular function of neutrophil and natural killer cells. Stress and Health, 17, 17–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Huh, H. J., Jeong, S. M., Lee, H. S., Ryu, H., Park, J. H., et al. (2003a). Effects of Qigong on immune cells. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 31(2), 327–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Lee, M. S., Kim, H. J., & Moon, S. R. (2003b). Qigong reduced blood pressure and catecholamine levels of patients with essential hypertension. International Journal of Neuroscience, 113, 1691–1701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Kang, C. W., Lim, H. J., & Lee, M. S. (2004a). Effects of qi-training on anxiety and plasma concentrations of cortisol, ACTH, and aldosterone: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Stress and Health, 20, 243–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. S., Lim, H.-J., & Lee, M. S. (2004b). Impact of qigong exercise on self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual variables in patients with essential hypertension. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 10, 675–680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehrer, P. M., Woolfolk, R. L., & Sime, W. E. (Eds.). (2007). Principles and practice of stress management (3rd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, K. F., Liu, F. B., Zhao, L., Fang, J. Q., Chan, K., & Lin, L. Z. (2005). Development and validation of the Chinese quality of life instrument. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 3, 26. doi:10.1186/1477-7525-3-26.ArticleURLhttp:www.hqlo.com/content/3/1/26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ning, Y. (Ed.). (1990). Zhong Guo Dan Dai Qigong Jing Lun (The essence of modern qigong in China). Beijing: People’s Sports Education Press [in Chinese].

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS) with the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olfson, M., Shea, S., Feder, A., Fuentes, M., Nomura, Y., Gameroff, M., et al. (2000). Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders in an urban general medicine practice. Archives of Family Medicine, 9, 876–883.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ormel, J., VonKorff, M., Ustun, T. B., Pini, S., Korten, A., & Oldehinkel, T. (1994). Common mental disorders and disability across cultures. Results from the WHO Collaborative Study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Journal of the American Medical Association, 272, 1741–1748.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pandya, D. (1988). Psychological stress, emotional behaviour and coronary heart disease. Comprehensive Therapy, 24, 265–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavek, R.R. (1988). Effects of qigong on psychosomatic and other emotionally rooted disorders. Proceedings of First World Conference of Academic Exchange on Medical Qigong, Beijing, China, p.150

  • Qu, X., & Xu, Q. Z. (1992). The impact of qigong on learning and memory [in Chinese]. Jilin Medical Information, 6, 40–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riad-Fahmy, D., Read, G. F., Walker, R. F., & Griffiths, K. (1982). Steroids in saliva for assessing endocrine function. Endocrine Research, 3, 367–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Health & Safety Executive (2009). Stress-related and psychological disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.htm Accessed 15 April 2009.

  • Salimetric (2003). High sensitivity salivary cortisol enzymeimmunoassay kit. 1–4. Retrieved from: www.salimetrics.com/pdf/HS.cortisol-kit-1102.pdf Accessed 28 March 2006.

  • Scully, D., Kremer, J., Meade, M. M., Graham, R., & Dudgeon, K. (1998). Physical exercise and psychological well being: a critical review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 32, 111–120.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Segail, R. (2007). A Japanese killer: stress in Japan has become a national killer. Psychology Today Magazine, Sept/Oct. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200009/japanses-killer Accessed 15 Dec 2009.

  • Shan, H., Yan, H., Sheng, H., & Hu, S. (1989). A preliminary evaluation on Chinese qigong treatment of anxiety. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Qigong, Xian, China, p.165

  • Stahl, S. M., & Hauger, R. L. (1994). Stress: an overview of the literature with emphasis on job-related strain and intervention. Advances in Therapy, 11, 110–119.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, L., & Tian, Y. P. (2008). A thought on yoga—a retrospective view on Chinese qigong [in Chinese] (pp. 4–12). Beidaihe: XianDai Yangsheng.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, S., Reading, J., & Shephard, R. J. (1992). Revision of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Canadian Journal of Sports Science, 17, 338–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsang, H. W. H., Fung, K. M. T., Chan, A. S. M., Lee, G., & Chan, F. (2006). Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21, 890–897.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department oh Health and Human Services (2001). Health Report 2000. U.S.A. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hp2000/hp2k01.pdf Accessed 10 Sept 2010.

  • U. S. Census Bureau (2005). U.S. Census Bureau population estimates by demographic characteristics. Table 2: Annual estimates of the population by selected age groups and sex for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (NC-EST2004-02). Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau Release. Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/ Accessed 9 Oct 2008.

  • Wang, R. F., Hong, S. H., Tao, Z., Zhang, C. H., Su, G. L., Chen, J. W., et al. (1990). A preliminary study on rheoencephalogram after exercising qigong in a short time [in Chinese]. Acta Academiae Medicinae Weifang, 12(2), 11–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization [WHO]. (2001). Basic documents (43rd ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yong, I. S., & Lee, M. S. (2005). Qi therapy (external qigong) for chronic fatigue syndrome: case studies. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 33(1), 139–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, S. L. (2004). A study of the regulative body in qigong. Guoli Gaoxiong Haiyang Keda Xuebao, 19, 123–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, G. F., Fu, C. F., & Zhao, R. F. (1990). The dual-directional regulation of qigong on cardiovascular function [in Chinese]. Heilongjiang Medicine and Pharmacy, 13(4), 324–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, L., Liu, F. B., Leung, K. F., Chan, K., & Fang, J. (2006). Reliability and validity of the Chinese quality of life instrument. Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitation, 10(8), 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, L., Leung, K. F., & Chan, K. (2007). The Chinese quality of life instrument: reliability and validity of the Hong Kong Chinese version (ChQOL-HK). The Hong Kong Practitioner, 29, 220–232. Retrieved from: http://www.hkcfp.org.hk/article/2007/06page220_232oa.html Accessed 5 May 2008.

  • Zikmund, V. (2003). Health, well-being, and the quality of life: some psychosomatic reflections. Neuroendocrinology Letters, 24(6), 401–403.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

    Yvonne W. Y. Chow & Allen Dorcas

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

    Andrew M. H. Siu

Authors
  1. Yvonne W. Y. Chow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Allen Dorcas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andrew M. H. Siu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yvonne W. Y. Chow.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chow, Y.W.Y., Dorcas, A. & Siu, A.M.H. The Effects of Qigong on Reducing Stress and Anxiety and Enhancing Body–Mind Well-being. Mindfulness 3, 51–59 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0080-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0080-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation