Baduanjin Training for Depression and Anxiety Patients

Depression and anxiety, the two common mental health problems, are prevalent in the world. But there is a lack of sufficient no-drug intervention for relieving these two symptoms. The study focuses on mixed depressive and anxiety disorder, which symptoms are not sufficiently severe, numerous, or persistent to justify a diagnosis of depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder. Baduanjin is a form of mind-body exercise with a profound philosophical foundation rooted in oriental culture. Previous studies have provided some evidences of beneficial effects on Baduanjin for depression and anxiety. Moreover, the effects and mechanisms of Baduanjin on patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety are yet to be further investigated. This is a two-group prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded trial, planning to enroll 120 participants (60 for Baduanjin intervention group receiving health education plus a Baduanjin breathing training program, and 60 for health education control group only receiving health education). The aims of the prospective randomized study are: (1) to examine the effects of Baduanjin breathing training on reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and (2) to explore the correlates between improvements of depression or anxiety symptom and changes of lung function.