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A Remotely Delivered Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV

A Remotely Delivered Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention for Older People Living With HIV: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Time periods mentioned: 12 weeks, 50 years
  • Procedures mentioned: Interviews, Blood draws

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Participants will: Attend either a tai chi/qigong class twice a week for 12 weeks or a health education class of the same duration delivered via Zoom."
  • "Participate in 3 separate interviewer-administered interviews: at the time of enrollment, 3 months after the last class, and 9 months after the last class."
  • "Go to their local lab (e.g., Quest or Labcorp) for blood draw at the time of enrollment and at 9 month post intervention (this will only be a subset of participants)."
  • "Half of those living with HIV in the United States are over 50 years of age."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether tai chi/qigong reduces symptoms of depression more than a health education class in adults ages 50–75 living with HIV. Both groups take classes on Zoom twice a week for 12 weeks, with follow-up visits afterward.

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if tai chi/qigong decreases depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV compared to a health education class. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does tai chi/qigong reduce depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV more than a health education class? What are the behavioral, psychological, and biological mechanisms in which tai chi/qigong affects depressive symptoms? Does tai chi/qigong affect depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV differently for men compared to women? Researchers will compare a 12-week, twice a week remotely delivered tai chi/qigong intervention to a health education class of the same duration to determine if it improves depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV. Participants will: Attend either a tai chi/qigong class twice a week for 12 weeks or a health education class of the same duration delivered via Zoom. Each class will be 45-60 minutes in length. Participate in 3 separate interviewer-administered interviews: at the time of enrollment, 3 months after the last class, and 9 months after the last class. Keep a tracking log of their home practice of tai chi/qigong (only participants in the intervention group). Use a biosensor (an earlobe sensor or chest strap) to measure their heart variability. Go to their local lab (e.g., Quest or Labcorp) for blood draw at the time of enrollment and at 9 month post intervention (this will only be a subset of participants).

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Be 50–75 years old and have HIV diagnosed by a health care professional. Show proof with a photo of a recent lab report or medicine bottle with your name.
  • Be able to understand and agree to join, based on a thinking and memory check. Sign and date a consent form.
  • Have reliable internet access and a smartphone.
  • Have mild to moderate depression symptoms, with a score above 5 but below 19 on the PHQ-9 depression survey.
  • Have had stable housing for the past 60 days and expect stable housing for the next 60 days.
  • Speak and understand English.
  • Be willing to take part in classes and follow-up checks for a total of 12 months.
  • Not have regularly practiced mind-body activities weekly for more than 3 months during the past 12 months.

Who can't join

  • A screening shows a high risk of suicide.
  • You took part in a mental health study in the past 12 months.
  • You currently exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. The ability to provide consent assessed by the GAIN Cognitive Impairment Scale 2. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form 3. Must be 50 - 75 years old. 4. Must have been diagnosed with HIV by a healthcare professional (status confirmed at baseline by an uploaded picture of a recent lab report or medication bottle with name), 5. Must have reliable internet access, 6. Must have a smart phone 7. No substantial experience (regular weekly practice for more than 3 months in the past 12 months) with mind-body interventions, 8. Willing to participate for the length of the 12-week intervention and follow up assessments (a total of 12 months). 9. Must report stable housing for the past 60 days and the next 60 days; 10. Must have mild to moderate depressive symptoms (a score more than 5 but less than 19 on the PHQ-9 scale) 11. Must speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: 1. Reports high risk for suicide based on the CCSR screening tool. 2. Has participated in a study on mental health in the last 12 months. 3. Currently exercising at least 150 minutes a week

Study sites (1)

FL