Remote Tai ChiQigong Classes to Reduce Depression in Older Adults Living with HIV

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a remotely delivered tai chiqigong program can reduce depressive symptoms in older adults living with HIV. The study aims to compare the effects of tai chiqigong to a health education class while exploring how behavioral, psychological, and biological factors may influence depression. It also investigates whether the interventions effects differ between men and women living with HIV aged 50 to 75. Participants will be randomly assigned to either attend tai chiqigong classes or health education classes via Zoom twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Tai chiqigong involves slow, low-impact meditative movements integrating breath work and meditation. The health education group will discuss wellness topics relevant to older adults with HIV in similarly scheduled sessions. Throughout the study, participants will complete interviews at enrollment, 3 months, and 9 months after the last class. Those in the tai chiqigong group will track home practice. Heart variability will be monitored using biosensors, and a subset will provide blood samples at baseline and 9 months for viral load and inflammation markers. Depression and related factors like sleep, fatigue, and emotional regulation will be assessed at multiple time points to evaluate the interventions impact over up to 9 months post intervention.

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