The Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Autonomic Nervous System and Quality of Life among the Primary Caregivers of the Bed-Ridden Clients

• Main Authors: Lu-Jung Chen, 陳綠蓉
• Other Authors: Mei-Ying Chang, Ph.D.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/88480004521133141111

碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 中西醫結合護理研究所 === 101 === This research focuses on the effect of Baduanjin exercise on the quality of life among primary caretakers of bed-ridden patients and autonomic nervous system. Based on quasi-experimental design, the research splits participants from a neighborhood in northern Taiwan into experimental group and control group. The 41 participants in the experimental group would practice 12 weeks of Baduanjin exercise for 3 months. The 42 participants in the control group would not make a change in their lifestyle. The research will then look into heart rate variability (HRV) and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire to evaluate the difference between after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of Baduanjin practice respectively. The results are evaluated via SPSS 19.0 statistics software, in which in SF36 the results of GEE health, psychological, self-evaluated health, overall physiological functions, overall psychological functions have statistical significance. In HRV standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) and total power (TP) are shown in the experimental group with time: Part of the SDNN experimental group recorded an increase of 5.47 milliseconds compared with the control group when tested after 12 weeks. Total power experimental group recorded an increase of 405.52 milliseconds compared with the control group when tested after 12 weeks, gaining a statistical significance. Other parameters and pointers showed no significant difference. Thus, it can be said that the mild and easy-to-learn Baduanjin exercise can improve the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system, help ease autonomic instability and some conditions of one’s life quality. The results of this study are aimed at developing and promoting an easy-to-learn exercise for primary caretakers to practice themselves at home with a view to improving the quality of life for them to gain a balance between mind and body.