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Published on: July 14, 2023
Study design exploring Qigong and Tai Chi Easy (QTC) on cardiometabolic risk factors
Ramya Rameshkumar1, Linda Larkey2, Kate Alperin1
1Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
Insights
This study investigates Qigong and Tai Chi Easy (QTC) with or without heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback to improve cardiometabolic health in older adults. Findings may reveal HRV
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine and preventative cardiology.
- Mind-body interventions and health outcomes.
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death, linked to rising cardiometabolic risk factors like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Lifestyle modifications, including physical activity and diet, can prevent many cardiometabolic risks.
- Qigong and Tai Chi Easy (QTC) are meditative movements that reduce psychosocial stress, improve sleep, and aid weight management, especially in older adults.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with reduced cardiometabolic risks and may be enhanced by biofeedback.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the effects of QTC versus QTC plus HRV biofeedback on HRV parameters.
- To assess the impact of these interventions on cardiometabolic risk factors and related sequelae.
- To explore the role of HRV in optimizing QTC for cardiometabolic health.
Main Methods:
- A two-group parallel randomized controlled trial design.
- Enrollment of 50 adults aged 55-85 years for an 8-week intervention.
- Primary outcome: HRV parameters. Secondary outcomes: waist circumference, body fat percentage, sleep quality, stress, anxiety/depression, emotional regulation, eating behaviors, and cognitive performance.
- Assessments conducted pre- and post-intervention, including self-reported measures and cognitive tests.
Main Results:
- Results are pending further analysis.
- The study is designed to provide data on the efficacy of QTC and HRV biofeedback for cardiometabolic risk reduction.
Conclusions:
- Findings are expected to assess QTC's effects and clarify HRV's role in QTC for cardiometabolic health.
- The study will discuss implications for optimizing meditative movement practices through HRV biofeedback.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States paralleled with several cardiometabolic risk factors that are on the rise such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Many of these cardiometabolic risk factors are preventable by lifestyle changes in physical activity and dietary patterns. Qigong and Tai Chi Easy (QTC) exercises are considered meditative movement practices that have been shown to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors such as psychosocial stress, poor sleep quality and weight gain and is particularly suitable for older adults. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a common factor known to be related to reduction of these risks and may be enhanced using HRV biofeedback to specifically optimize effects of QTC.
Methods:
The protocol presented describes a two-group parallel randomized controlled trial testing effects of QTC vs QTC plus HRV biofeedback "priming" on HRV parameters (primary), and cardiometabolic risk factors and sequelae (secondary) (e.g., waist circumference/percent body fat, sleep quality, stress, anxiety/depression, emotional regulation, eating behaviors, and cognitive performance). We will enroll 50 adults aged 55-85 years old to participate in an 8-week intervention. Self-reported body measurements, psychosocial and behavioral questionnaires, and cognitive performance assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention.
Conclusions:
Findings from this study are expected to assess effects of QTC and elucidate the potential role of HRV in QTC relative to cardiometabolic risk factors and sequelae. Implications for how HRV may play a central role and be optimized in a meditative movement practice are discussed.
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