Effect of Qi-based mindfulness therapy for mild-to-moderate depression.
Qiong-Wei Li, Yan Yang, Xue-Jiao Gao, Alexander Ma, Wei Sun
World journal of psychiatry April 19, 2025 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i4.104450 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA four-week Qi-based mindfulness therapy (QMT) program significantly reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in adults with mild-to-moderate depression. In a self-controlled trial with 18 participants aged 18–65, scores on the 17 Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index all decreased significantly after the intervention compared to before. The findings suggest QMT is an effective nonpharmacological treatment for these symptoms in this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Self-controlled before-after trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Adults aged 18-65 years with mild-to-moderate depression |
| Intervention | Qi-based mindfulness therapy (QMT) |
| Duration | 4-week intervention, 4-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Anxiety rating scale Depression rating scale Insomnia Qi-based mindfulness therapy |
| Key finding | Qi-based mindfulness therapy for 4 weeks significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. |
Abstract
Depression is a disorder characterized by significant and persistent depressed mood, cognitive impairment, impaired voluntary activity, working memory, and somatic symptoms. To determine the efficacy of Qi-based mindfulness therapy (QMT) in treating anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in individuals with mild-to-moderate depression. A self-controlled before-after trial was conducted. The study invited online participants for recruitment between May and July 2023. Participants (n = 18) aged 18-65 years with mild-to-moderate depression, who were receiving QMT training for 4 weeks, were included. The primary efficacy indicators were the 17 Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores. The secondary outcome indicators included the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, the self-rating Anxiety Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted. The patients' symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and insomnia were reassessed 4 weeks after the post-intervention evaluation. Patients who underwent the QMT intervention for 4 weeks exhibited a statistically significant reduction in scores on the 17 Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index relative to their pre-intervention scores (all P < 0.05). QMT training for 4 weeks is an effective nonpharmacological treatment for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among patients with mild-to-moderate depression.