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

Tai Chi Training and Sleep Enhancement in the Elderly

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Deprivation
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Tai Chi

Detailed 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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Oregon
    • Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97403
      • Oregon Research Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Oregon Research Institute
• Collaborators: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2001
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2002
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2003

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2004
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 11, 2004
• First Posted (Estimate): March 12, 2004

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 1, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 30, 2013
• Last Verified: September 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Tai Ji
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Deprivation
• Other Study ID Numbers: R03MH062327 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); DSIR AT-SO (NorthShore LIJ Health System)