ABSTRACT
Introduction Qigong training has positive effects on various health outcomes. Asynchronous or video-conference-based digital platforms may be options to maintain physical activity at home. Methods The aim of the study was to assess feasibility and safety of asynchronous and video-conference-based Qigong training. Thirty-four physically inactive adults were assigned to video-conference or asynchronous group. While subjects in the video-conference group followed the program through Zoom®, exercise videos were delivered to the participants in the asynchronous group via YouTube®. Both groups performed Qigong training with the same characteristics for 6 weeks, 3 days/week. The feasibility was assessed by retention rate and attendance rate. The program considered to be feasible if the retention rate was <80% and mean attendance rate was at least 15 out of 18 sessions. Safety was determined as any adverse events reported by the participants during the intervention period. Satisfaction from the interventions assessed using 5-points Likert Scale. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), 1-minute sit-to-stand test (STS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale were also assessed. Results No adverse events were observed in either group. Attendance rate was ≥15 sessions in both groups (asynchronous group= 18, video-conference group= 15.35±5.98). The retention rate was 100% in asynchronous and 88.2% in video-conference group. The satisfaction level obtained with the Qigong training in both groups was similar (p = 0.533, r=-0.106). Conclusions Qigong training performed with the video-conference method or asynchronous videos appear to be safe, well tolerated, and feasible in physically inactive adults.