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Research on Spring Forest Qigong, Depression Study |
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General Research
Spring Forest Qigong found "highly effective" in treating Depression
A study conducted during the summer of 2002 found that Spring Forest
Qigong "is a highly effective complementary and alternative treatment
modality for depression and should be considered as an adjunct to
psychotherapy treatment."
The study was conducted over a period of
two months by Frances V. Gaik, a doctoral candidate at the Adler School
of Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. The study findings were included in
Ms. Gaik's dissertation. She subsequently was awarded her doctorate in
January of 2003.
After in depth research into qigong techniques,
Dr. Gaik selected Spring Forest Qigong techniques for her study. A
total of "39 subjects suffering from DSM-IV diagnosis of Major
Depressions, Dysthymia or Bipolar Disorder" were taught the Level One
Spring Forest Qigong techniques by Master Chunyi Lin in a one-day
training session at the end of June 2002. Master Lin met with the
subjects again at the end of July and the end of August.
Each
subject was also provided with SFQ Level One videotape, manual and
audiotapes including the SFQ Small Universe and Self-Concentration
meditations. The subjects were directed to practice either the Level
One Active Exercises or meditations for at least forty minutes each day
and to keep a log of their practice sessions.
Dr. Gaik found that
"all subjects improved over the treatment period" and "a very
significant level of improvement in the majority of the subjects who
were measured at serious levels of depression."
The following
are excerpts from Dr. Gaik's study: "A Preliminary Study Applying
Spring Forest Qigong to Depression as an Alternative and Complementary
Treatment."
ABSTRACT
A pilot study with 39 subjects suffering from DSM-IV diagnosis of Major
Depression, Dysthymia or Bipolar Disorder were treated with the Eastern
Traditional Chinese Medicine technique of qigong. Treatment included qi
emission treatment by qualified practitioners, and subjects were
required to practice qigong exercise for a two-month period.
Significant improvement was observed, especially in the first month on
the measurements of Beck's Depression Index-Revised (BDI-R) (.0000) and
Symptom Checklist -90 R (SCL-90-R) Depression Index (.00003),
Interpersonal Sensitivity (.00003). SCL-90 Somaticism indexes as well
as three criteria from DSM-IV guidelines are also reported on
indicating an overall trend of improvement over time. All subjects
improved over the treatment period and it is determined that the qigong
exercise is a highly effective complementary and alternative treatment
modality for depression and should be considered as an adjunct to
psychotherapy treatment. No significant difference was seen in those
subjects treated with qi emission.
Anecdotal Reports
Specific reports of somatic and symptom relief were reported which
deserve to be mentioned: 1) one woman stated that the ringing in her
ear had disappeared immediately after the first qi emission treatment.
She reported that she had consistently experienced this ringing for a
period of nine years; 2) another woman stated that she had reduced her
insulin levels; 3) another woman with numerous physical problems stated
that she no longer needed to take Vicodin to sleep at night, and she
began a job after a long period of not working; 4) another woman stated
she had cut her anti-depressant medication in half; 5) another woman
stated that she found she could get answers to her problems while doing
the qigong exercise.
("A Preliminary Study Applying Spring Forest
Qigong to Depression as an Alternative and Complementary Treatment,"
Frances V. Gaik, Psy. D. pg. 81)
Research Results
The results were most successful in that the subjects reported
significant and substantial relief of symptoms connected with DSM-IV
guidelines and there were no reported negative side effects of the
treatment.
The researcher and all three practitioners noted that
physical presentation and appearance of the group was markedly
different and improved at the end of the treatment period than when
they first presented two months earlier. There was a noticeable
difference in the affect and presentation of the subjects. The
practitioners commented on their original concern at the first meeting
about how "serious" and sad the subjects looked. By the last session,
the subjects displayed an enthusiastic attitude and their affect was
markedly changed to a more responsive and animated level. They were
genuinely curious about the qigong technique and made inquiry about
advanced levels of practice. Although the study treatment period lasted
only two months, the trend of improvement may continue to be
experienced with continuation of the exercise as length of practice
indicates that greater change can occur over time, especially after 12
months (Kawano, 1997; 1998).
(Ibid. pg. 83)
Clinical Implications
The health care system is currently in a state of crisis with more than
41 million people uninsured and mental health care is, in reality, a
non-issue with insurance carriers. The current accepted mode of
treatment for depression, the most commonly diagnosed mental
difficulty, includes cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. The
perspective that we are interconnected through an energy field and that
this energy can be enhanced and ultimately exchanged in human
interactions, whether they be through thoughts, emotions or physical
action, is a major shift in paradigm which is not addressed in the
current accepted therapies. The qigong exercise is believed to enhance
the human energy system of the individual over time, building upon
health and a sense of well being. According to qigong principles, the
individual subjects learned to cultivate, store and manipulate "energy"
or qi which activated symptom relief. The subjects could indeed have
learned to mobilize innate healing potential and reverse the negative
effects of depression, as well as taking personal responsibility for
their health.
An energetic approach to depression offers the
opportunity to change our perception about human relationships and how
to modulate our own response to "toxic environments" and their effects
upon our own energy field. The subjects in this study were not removed
from their everyday difficulties, nor were they given psychotherapy;
they were trained in how to better cope with and balance their
emotional world and to develop a sense of self mastery. A balanced
control of their response was the goal rather than a dependency upon
medication or the need to see a therapist. This is the first study to
apply qigong as a curative in depression and significant results were
observed over the short-term of two months. The subjects learned a
technique which offers a lifetime modality for dealing with stress and
the negative effects of depression. If the trend continues as expected,
they may have learned to mobilize their own healing potential. The
technique is cost effective (the price of the video and audio tapes)
and there were no reported side effects of the exercise.
The
results provided a significant improvement in all subjects. In
applications of a new treatment, only a few events of sufficiently high
significance can be enough to assert that a new phenomenon exists with
a high level of confidence; this study indicates a very significant
level of improvement in the majority of the subjects who were measured
at serious levels of depression. The qigong exercise has been
differentiated from meditation and visualization through EEG activity
(Ueda, et. Al.,1997), which cannot merely account for the significant
levels of improvement seen in this study. The qigong exercise is not
comparable to physical exercise, in that it is not exertive to the
levels necessary to release endorphins.
Given the theoretical
acceptance of the concept that the human system has energy transformers
called chakras and that we are affected by the flow of this energy
through the meridian system, speculation on the results may be
considered in light of energetic theories posited by Kunz and Peper
(1983). Dora Kunz was one of the originators of Therapeutic Touch which
is widely taught and used by nursing staff.
A decrease of energy
is a common factor of depression and there are complex factors
involved. Normal mood changes of anxiety, disappointment and sadness
may be an incipient factor in shutting down or closing of the solar
plexus chakra, responsible for the main energy flow intake, according
to Kunz. As the whole system is energetically recharging at a lower
rate, the individual is expending more energy through dealing with
turbulent feelings, and consequently less energy is available. Anxious
and depressed individuals tend to breathe in a shallow pattern, and
this will also affect the flow of oxygen and energy into the body. The
qigong exercise encourages a deep and measured breath, increasing
oxygen to the organism.
(ibid. pg 87-89)
For
more information on Dr. Gaik's study "A Preliminary Study Applying
Spring Forest Qigong to Depression as an Alternative and Complementary
Treatment" contact the Adler School of Professional Psychology where
her complete research results and dissertation are on file.
Adler School of Professional Psychology
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60601-7298
ph: (312) 201-5900
fax: (312) 201-5917
email: information@adler.edu
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