Diurnal Variations Of Salivary Biomarkers Following A Twelve-week Chinese Qigong Mind-body Exercise Program In Older Adults

Chinese Qigong mind-body exercises, such as the Five Animal Frolics, have demonstrated benefits in enhancing quality of life, physical and cognitive functions, and mental health among older adults with chronic health conditions. Despite these benefits, the biological mechanisms driving these health effects in mind-body exercises remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the diurnal patterns in salivary biomarkers related to stress, inflammation, and immunity following a 12-week Five Animal Frolics Qigong exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Thirteen older adults (mean age 77 years, BMI: 30.13 ± 3.32 kg/m2) participating in a Senior Nutrition Program completed the program. Saliva samples were collected at five time points (7 am, 7:30 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10:30 pm) at baseline, mid-program (6 weeks), and post-program (12 weeks) to measure cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels with ELISA. The area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) and increase (AUCi) were calculated using the trapezoidal method. Data were analyzed with paired t-tests comparing mid- and post-test levels to baseline, with results presented as Mean ± SD and effect sizes reported as Cohen's d. RESULTS: While no statistically significant changes were observed in salivary biomarkers (p > 0.05), cortisol AUCg decreased by 10.5% (d = -0.16) and 5.3% (d = -0.08), and AUCi decreased by 67.5% (d = -0.54) and 29.6% (d = -0.38) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. For CRP, AUCg decreased by 7.8% (d = -0.08) and 10.5% (d = -0.10), with AUCi reductions of 176.8% (d = -0.36) and 40.9% (d = -0.11) over the same periods. IgA AUCg decreased by 7.2% (d = -0.14) and 38.2% (d = -0.72), while AUCi increased by 22.5% (d = 0.42) and 39.3% (d = 0.76) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that Chinese Qigong mind-body exercise may effectively reduce diurnal variations of stress hormone and inflammatory responses, while enhancing immune function in older adults. Supported by: UTSA HCaP Transdisciplinary Team Grant