Effects of Qi-training on anxiety and plasma concentrations of cortisol, ACTH, and aldosterone: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.

Myeong Soo Lee; Chang-Won Kang; Hyun-Ja Lim; Myung-Suk Lee

The effects of Qi-training on anxiety, and plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and aldosterone in healthy young men was investigated. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned to a sham control group or a Qi-training group. Although the basal level of anxiety did not differ between the groups, there was a significant group by time interaction of the 1-hour intervention; anxiety decreased by 26 per cent in the Qi-training group and by 9 per cent in the control group. After Qi-training, the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone decreased, but these levels did not change in the control group. These findings suggest that Qi-training improves anxiety and has a significant effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ANXIETY; ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC hormone; HYDROCORTISONE; ALDOSTERONE; EXERCISE

Stress & Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 2004, Vol 20, Issue 5, p243

1532-3005

Academic Journal

10.1002/smi.1023