Ancient chinese exercise tested for depression in elderly
NCT ID NCT05000788
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether qigong, a gentle mind-body practice, can improve mood and thinking in people aged 65 and older with depression. Sixty participants will do either qigong or regular exercise for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in brain activity and cognitive skills to see if qigong offers unique benefits.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- qigong (Eight-Section Brocades)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a gentle, non-drug way to ease depression and sharpen thinking in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 60 people, so results may not apply to everyone. It also cannot prove qigong works better than other exercise.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2021
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Elderly aged 65 years or above with depressive symptoms as indicated by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Exclusion Criteria: * Current positive history of head injury, seizure, stroke, other CNS diseases, other comorbid psychiatric illness, or reports of strong suicidal ideation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Buddhist Ho L.F. Tak Elderly Social Centre
North Point, HK Island, Hong Kong
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