Acceptability and Feasibility of a Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV

Tai chi/qigong (TCQ) is a low impact, meditative movement with breathwork that may benefit people with HIV (PWH) over 50 years old. This study is a feasibility clinical trial of a remote TCQ intervention for older PWH. Participants (n = 48) were recruited via clinic sites and social media and randomized to a TCQ, sham qigong, or wait-list control group. The 12-week intervention included fourteen 45-60-minute sessions. Acceptability (satisfaction, attitudes, practice, attendance) and feasibility (retention rate, adverse events, remote delivery) data were surveyed. Overall retention rate was 72.9%, but 81.2% for the TCQ group. Most TCQ participants attended at least 10 sessions (62.5%) and were practicing TCQ after 2 weeks (72.7%). Over 92% of TCQ participants reported satisfaction and positive attitudes and preferred remote versus in person delivery (63.6%). Two mild intervention related adverse events occurred. Findings suggest that a remote TCQ intervention is acceptable, feasible, and safe among older PWH.