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Topics in Research
Scientific Qi Exploration – Part 15b
Psychological Effects of Qigong
by Marty Eisen, Ph.D.
4. Qigong as a treatment of mental illness
(a) Depression and Psychosomatic Disorders
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sustained
depression of mood, anhedonia, sleep and appetite
disturbances, and feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and
hopelessness.
Diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode must
meet the symptom criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the number
indicates the edition). These include a depressed mood, a
marked reduction of interest or pleasure in virtually all
activities, or both, lasting for at least 2 weeks. In addition,
3 or more of the following must be present: gain or loss of
weight, increased or decreased sleep, increased or
decreased level of psychomotor activity, fatigue, feelings
of guilt or worthlessness, diminished ability to
concentrate, think or make decisions and recurring
thoughts of death or suicide or attempted suicide.
To be considered major depression:
(i) Symptoms aren't due to a mixed episode —
simultaneous mania and depression that can occur in bipolar disorder
(ii) Symptoms must be severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school,
social activities or relationships with others
(iii) Symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as drug abuse, taking a medcation or having a
medical condition such as hypothyroidism
(iv) Symptoms are not caused by grieving, such as temporary sadness after
the loss of a loved one.
Qigong has been studied for its effects on depression. However, the studies did not study major depressive episodes, but
some symptoms of depression resulting from other problems.
Tang, et al (19) was a double- blind study in an elderly population of 122 Qigong and 55 Tai Chi practitioners compared
to 90 age-matched controls practicing neither. The results demonstrated an improvement in mood, reduction in anxiety
and better ―quality of sleep‖ in the intervention group. Wang (20) found improvement in baseline psychological and
emotional state correlated with duration of practice of Qigong. In Schwartzman (21), 9 of 13 patients reported benefits
from Qigong with a 25-50% improvement in pre-treatment depressed mood. These last two studies showed promise for
30 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 1, Issue No. 7