Biochemical and psychometric evaluation of Self-Healing Qigong as a stress reduction tool among first year nursing and midwifery students

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. Design: 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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.