Assessing the effect of a mind-body exercise, qigong Baduanjin, on sleep disturbance among women experiencing intimate partner violence and possible mediating factors: a randomized-controlled trial.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a mind-body exercise, qigong Baduanjin, on sleep disturbances in women experiencing intimate partner violence and explore the mediating role of depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and inflammation in producing the effects.

Methods: A subgroup of a parent randomized controlled trial was randomized for a 22-week Baduanjin intervention (n = 94) or wait-list control (n = 92). Questionnaires, including the General Sleep Disturbance Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory version II, were administered at baseline, posttraining (6 weeks), and postintervention (22 weeks), and blood samples were collected to assess tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 6 levels at baseline and postintervention only.

Effect of a Qigong Intervention on Telomerase Activity and Mental Health in Chinese Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Qigong is a mind-body exercise that may be an effective self-care intervention for improving the well-being of women survivors of intimate partner violence.

Objective: To test whether a qigong intervention would increase telomerase activity and improve mental health in Chinese women who survived intimate partner violence.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A single-blind randomized clinical trial among Chinese women (N = 271) who survived intimate partner violence in the past 2 years recruited from a community center in Hong Kong, China.

Effect of a qigong intervention program on telomerase activity and psychological stress in abused Chinese women: a randomized, wait-list controlled trial.

Background: Abused women, who suffer from chronic psychological stress, have been shown to have shorter telomeres than never abused women. Telomere shortening is associated with increased risk of cell death, and it is believed that adopting health-promoting behaviors can help to increase the activity of telomerase, an enzyme that counters telomere shortening. Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind-body integration, health-oriented practice designed to enhance the function of qi, an energy that sustains well-being.