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


Author: Chan AW1, Yu DS1, Choi KC1, Lee DT1, Sit JW1, Chan HY1

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
Conference/Journal: Clin Interv Aging.
Date published: 2016 Sep 16
Other:
 Volume ID: 11   ,  Pages: 1277-1286   ,  Word Count: 262  
    PURPOSE: 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.



PARTICIPANTS: Older adults with cognitive impairment who complain of sleep disturbance.



METHODS: 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.



RESULTS: 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.



CONCLUSION: TCQ can be considered a useful nonpharmacological approach for improving sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment.



CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: CUHK_CCT00448 (https://www2.ccrb.cuhk.edu.hk/registry/public/287).



KEYWORDS: cognitive decline; mind–body exercise; nonpharmacological approach; sleep disturbances



PMID: 27698557  DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S111927