Impact of Qigong Exercise on Self-Efficacy and Other Cognitive Perceptual Variables in Patients with Essential Hypertension.

Lee, Myung-suk; Lim, Hyun-ja; Lee, Myeong Soo

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of practicing qigong on middle-age subjects with essential hypertension. Impacts on blood pressure, reported self-efficacy, perceived benefit, and emotion were observed. Design: Thirty-six (36) adult volunteers were assigned to either a waiting list control or a qigong group that practiced two 30-minute qigong programs per week over 8 consecutive weeks. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in members of the qigong group after 8 weeks of exercise. Significant improvements in self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual efficacy variables were also documented in the qigong group compared to the original situation described above. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the positive effects of practicing qigong on controlling blood pressure and enhancing perceptions of self-efficacy.

HYPERTENSION; BLOOD pressure; SELF-efficacy; APPLIED psychology; INTELLIGENCE tests; HEMODYNAMICS

Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 2004, Vol 10, Issue 4, p675

1075-5535

Academic Journal

10.1089/acm.2004.10.675