Open AccessEffects of Tai Chi or Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults With Insomnia
Author(s) -
Parco M. Siu,
Angus P. Yu,
Bjorn T. Tam,
Edwin C. Chin,
Doris S.F. Yu,
KaFai Chung,
Stanley Saichuen Hui,
Jean Woo,
Dyt Fong,
Paul H. Lee,
Wei Gao,
Michael R. Irwin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jama network open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.278
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2574-3805
DOI - 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37199
Subject(s) - actigraphy , insomnia , physical therapy , medicine , pittsburgh sleep quality index , randomized controlled trial , primary insomnia , sleep diary , psychological intervention , sleep (system call) , sleep disorder , psychiatry , sleep quality , computer science , operating system
Key Points Question Can tai chi improve sleep as effectively as conventional exercise in older adults with insomnia? Findings In this randomized clinical trial using data collected from 320 older adults, both tai chi and conventional exercise were associated with improved sleep. Both interventions were equally effective in improving various actigraphy-assessed sleep parameters, and these beneficial effects remained persistent 24 months after the intervention with no significant differences between the 2 intervention groups. Meaning Given that tai chi is an accepted form of physical activity among older people because of its gentle, low-impact exercises, it can represent an alternative approach to fulfill the physical activity recommendations for improving sleep for individuals who are averse to conventional exercise.
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