Tai chi/qigong (TCQ) is a low impact, meditative movement with breathwork that may benefit people with HIV over 50 years old. Florida International University, New College of Florida and Arizona State University jointly conducted a feasibility clinical trial of a remote TCQ intervention for older people with HIV. Forty-eight participants were recruited via clinic sites and social media and randomized to a TCQ, sham qigong, or wait-list control group.
The 12-week intervention included fourteen 45-60-minute sessions. Acceptability (satisfaction, attitudes, practice, attendance) and feasibility (retention rate, adverse events, remote delivery) data were surveyed. Overall retention rate was 72.9%, but 81.2% for the TCQ group. Most TCQ participants attended at least 10 sessions (62.5%) and were practicing TCQ after 2 weeks (72.7%).
Over 92% of TCQ participants reported satisfaction and positive attitudes and preferred remote versus in person delivery (63.6%). Two mild intervention related adverse events occurred.
Findings, published in the August 2023 issue of AIDS and behavior, suggest that a remote TCQ intervention is acceptable, feasible, and safe among older people with HIV.
