Comparing Tai Chi Training to a Low-Stress Physical Activity to Enhance Sleep in Older Adults

Oregon Research Institute

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 1

Conditions

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Sleep Deprivation

Treatments

Behavioral: Tai Chi

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT00079664

R03MH062327 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

DSIR AT-SO

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Tai Chi, in comparison to conventional exercise, on the quality of sleep among sedentary older adults.

Full description

Elderly individuals often suffer from sleep disturbances. Chronic sleep problems can cause significant medical, psychological, and social disruptions. Although many sleep-related studies exist, few studies have focused on improving quality of sleep. Tai Chi, an exercise that incorporates meditation and breathing with whole body movements, may improve the quality of sleep and health status of elderly individuals.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi group or a conventional exercise control group. Participants in each group will exercise for 60 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 months. Assessment of sleep quality and health status will be done at study start, 3 months, 6 months, at the end of the study, and at a 3-month follow-up visit.

Sex

All

Ages

60+ years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Sedentary, as defined by a lack of regular exercise during the previous 6 months
Healthy to the degree that participation in exercise testing and an exercise program would not exacerbate any existing disease condition
Physician's clearance for participation
Willingness to adhere to the conditions of the study

Exclusion criteria

Sleep medication or other psychotropic medication during the study
Current sleep disorder treatment
Significant cognitive impairment as indicated by a score of 3 on the Pfeiffer Mental Status Questionnaire
More than 7 alcoholic beverages per week or use of alcohol close to bedtime
Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day
Score of 5 or higher in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire
Score of 3 or higher on 2 out of 3 sleep items drawn from the Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment of Wakefulness