Effects Of Qigong Mind-body Exercise On Sleeping Quality And Salivary Melatonin Secretion

Chinese Qigong mind-body exercise, such as Five Animal Frolics, has been shown to improve mental health and sleeping quality in older adults. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the improved sleeping quality of mind-body exercise. PURPOSE: To profile the changes associated with sleeping quality and salivary melatonin after exposure to a 12-week Chinese Qigong mind-body exercise (Five Animal Frolics) program in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Thirteen community-dwelling adults who attended a senior center were recruited (average age 77y, BMI: 30.13 ± 3.32 kg/m2). The participants completed a 12-week Five Animal Frolics exercise program. Quality of sleep (assessed by sleep disturbance and sleep hours) and saliva samples were collected from the participants at baseline (pre-test) and 12-week post-test. Salivary melatonin at wake-up and before sleep was measured using ELISA, and average concentrations were calculated and compared. Data were analyzed in SPSS using paired t-test and reported as Mean ± SD. RESULTS: Sleep disturbance score decreased at post-test (Pre: 23.38 ± 2.53 vs. Post: 22.67 ± 2.74, p > 0.05, Cohen’s d = -0.27). Sleep hours increased at post-test compared to baseline (Pre: 6.29 ± 1.36 vs. Post: 6.83 ± 2.49, p > 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.52). Salivary melatonin levels increased at post-test (Pre: 17.27 ± 10.28 pg/mL vs. Post: 21.47 ± 19.05 pg/mL, p > 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Chinese Qigong could be an effective mind-body exercise to improve sleeping quality associated with increased melatonin secretions in older adults. However, a large-scale clinical trial is required for further investigation.