Changes in sleep quality and resting-state EEG activity in adults following 9 weeks of Chan-Chuang qigong practice: A preliminary pre-post study

This study aimed to examine changes in sleep quality and frontal resting-state EEG band power in adults following 9 weeks of Chan-Chuang qigong practice, providing preliminary evidence for its potential role in sleep promotion. A single-group pre-post design was used. Nineteen healthy adults without regular mind-body exercise experience completed a standardized 9-week Chan-Chuang qigong program. Sleep quality was assessed before and after the intervention using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Eyes-closed resting-state EEG was recorded, and frontal alpha, beta, theta, and delta band power were calculated. Paired-sample tests were used to compare pre and post-practice differences. After 9 weeks of Chan-Chuang qigong practice, participants showed a significant reduction in PSQI total score (P < 0.001). EEG analysis showed significant increases in frontal alpha (p = 0.0317), beta (p = 0.0107), and theta (p = 0.0001) band power compared with baseline, whereas delta band power did not change significantly (p = 0.3471). Nine weeks of Chan-Chuang qigong practice was associated with improved sleep quality and increased frontal resting-state alpha, beta, and theta band power in adults. Chan-Chuang qigong may represent a promising mind-body exercise approach for promoting sleep health.