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

BackgroundQigong, a traditional Chinese exercise, has a potential role in the management of stress.ObjectiveTo examine the influence of Qigong training on depression, anxiety and stress.DesignA randomised control trial among first year student participants.MethodsQigong 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.ResultsAfter 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.ConclusionsThe practice of Qigong improves psychological states and mucosal immunity; as indicated by psychometric tests and biochemical markers of stress.