A longitudinal study, appeared in Scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports in October 2023, sought to unravel the profound impact of Qigong, an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise, on the anxiety levels, heart rate variability (HRV), and breathing patterns of college students gripped by stress. In a quest to bridge the gap between tradition and modern science, this research delves into the tangible benefits of Qigong in the dynamic lives of anxious college students.
A cohort of 37 individuals, aged 18 to 25, became the focal point of this transformative exploration. Randomly allocated into control and intervention groups, the latter underwent Qigong interventions five times a week for a transformative 12-week period, with each session spanning 60 minutes. Rigorous assessments, including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Fatigue Scale 14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 36-item Short Form Survey, HRV, and respiration data, were meticulously collected before and after the 3-month intervention.
The outcomes of this study resonate with the potential of Qigong to alleviate anxiety in the college student demographic. A significant reduction in anxiety, particularly in the mental domain, was observed in those who engaged in the 3-month Qigong exercise intervention. Intriguingly, participants in the intervention group exhibited a noteworthy decrease in skin temperature and an increase in blood volume pulsation.
Furthermore, the benefits extended to the realm of heart rate variability (HRV), where a significant increase in the standard deviation of interbeat interval before and after comparisons and between the two groups was noted. Concurrently, a reduction in the normalized low-frequency power after the intervention pointed towards positive physiological changes. Notably, the intervention group experienced improvements in abdominal breathing depth and frequency.
In summation, this pioneering study unravels the therapeutic potential of Qigong as a mind-body exercise in alleviating anxiety among college students. Beyond the psychological benefits, the positive impact extends to physiological markers, with improvements in HRV and breathing patterns observed. “Harmony Unleashed” heralds Qigong as a transformative strategy that not only soothes the anxious mind but also nurtures holistic well-being, presenting a promising avenue for integrating ancient wisdom into the contemporary landscape of student mental health.
