1087 QIGONG EXERCISE IMPROVED QUALITY OF SLEEP AND REDUCED INTERLEUKIN-1 BETA AND INTERLEUKIN-6 AMONG PERSONS WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND SLEEP DISTURBANCES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Growing evidence has shown that Qigong exercise improves sleep quality and alleviates depressive symptoms. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of Qigong exercise remain unclear. Methods: A randomized waitlist‐controlled trial was conducted to assess efficacy of Qigong exercise and investigate relationship between pro‐inflammatory cytokines and self‐reported symptoms among depressed persons with sleep disturbance. 173 participants were screened and recruited from the community. Intervention was eight 3‐hour weekly sessions of Qigong training plus 30‐minute self‐practice at least 3 times per week. Self‐reported questionnaires, including Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) and perceived stress scale (PSS) and measurement of pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 were assessed at baseline (T0), immediate post‐intervention (T1) and 3‐month post‐intervention (T2). Results: Compared with waitlist control group, independent t‐tests showed that Qigong exercise significantly improved sleep quality and reduced depressive symptoms and perceived stress as measured by PSQI (‐1.7 vs ‐0.7, p =.014), CES‐D and PSS and lowered IL‐6 (‐0.21 vs 0.70, P =