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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012:7:185-90.
doi: 10.2147/CIA.S32600. Epub 2012 Jun 22.

A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese

Manh Hung Nguyen  1 , Andreas Kruse
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese

Manh Hung Nguyen et al. Clin Interv Aging. 2012.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Tai chi exercise on balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly in Vinh city, Vietnam.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Participants: One hundred two subjects were recruited.

Intervention: Subjects were divided randomly into two groups. The Tai chi group was assigned 6 months' Tai chi training. The control group was instructed to maintain their routine daily activities.

Outcome measures: The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Trail Making Test (TMT) were used as primary outcome measures.

Results: Participants in the Tai chi group reported significant improvement in TMT (part A) (F [1, 71] = 78.37, P < 0.001) and in TMT (part B), (F [1, 71] = 175.00, P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group. Tai chi participants also reported better scores in FES (F [1, 71] = 96.90, P < 0.001) and in PSQI (F [1,71] = 43.69, P = 0.001) than the control group.

Conclusion: Tai chi is beneficial to improve balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance of the elderly.

Keywords: Tai chi; balance; sleep.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean of PSQI at three test times.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean of FES at three test times.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean of TMT of part A at three test times.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean of TMT of part B at three test times.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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