Tai chi qigong as a means to improve night-time sleep quality among older adults with cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.2147/cia.s111927
• Publication Date: 2016-09-19T01:12:37Z
• Authors: Aileen WK Chan; Doris SF Yu; KC Choi; Diana TF Lee; Janet WH Sit; Helen YL Chan
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Male; Sleep Wake Disorders; Age Factors; Pilot Projects; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Clinical Interventions in Aging; Humans; Cognitive Dysfunction; Female; Single-Blind Method; Tai Ji; Original Research; Aged

Age-related cognitivee decline is a growing public health concern worldwide. More than a quarter of adults with cognitive impairment experience sleep disturbance. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effects of tai chi qigong (TCQ) on improving the night-time sleep quality of older adults with cognitive impairment.Older adults with cognitive impairment who complain of sleep disturbance.A randomized controlled trial with two groups. Fifty-two subjects were recruited from two district elderly community centers and randomly assigned to either the TCQ group (n=27) or the control group (n=25). The intervention group received TCQ training consisting of two 60-minute sessions each week for 2 months. The control group was advised to maintain their usual activities. Sleep quality was measured by the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Quality of life was measured by Short-form 12, cognitive functions measured by mini-mental state examination, and subjective memory deficits measured by the memory inventory for Chinese.Data were collected at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Significant results were noted at 6 months in the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score (P=0.004), sleep duration (P=0.003), habitual sleep efficiency (P=0.002), and the Short-form 12 mental health component (P<0.001). The TCQ participants reported better sleep quality and a better (quality of life) mental health component than the control group.TCQ can be considered a useful nonpharmacological approach for improving sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment.CUHK_CCT00448 (https://www2.ccrb.cuhk.edu.hk/registry/public/287).