Effects of 3‐month Qigong exercise on heart rate variability and respiration in anxious college students

Abstract Objective This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effects of Qigong on the anxiety state, heart rate variability (HRV), and breathing of anxious college students. Methods A total of 37 individuals (18–25 years old) were randomly allocated to the control ( n = 19) and intervention ( n = 18) groups. Qigong interventions were conducted five times weekly for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min. Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Fatigue Scale 14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 36‐item Short Form Survey, HRV, and respiration data were collected before and after the 3‐month intervention. Results Individuals who participated in the three‐month Qigong exercise intervention showed a significant reduction in anxiety, particularly mental anxiety ( p < 0.05). Subjects in the intervention group presented a decrease in skin temperature ( p < 0.05) and an increase in blood volume pulsation ( p < 0.05). Meanwhile, HRV exhibited a significant increase in the standard deviation of interbeat interval before and after comparisons ( p < 0.05) and between the two groups ( p = 0.039) and a reduction in the normalized low‐frequency power after the intervention. Moreover, the intervention group experienced increased abdominal breathing depth and abdominal breathing per minute ( p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that Qigong is an effective mind–body exercise strategy for relieving anxiety. HRV and breathing were improved accordingly among college students after the completion of the 3‐month Qigong program.