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A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese
Received 4 April 2012
Accepted for publication 25 April 2012
Published 22 June 2012 Volume 2012:7 Pages 185—190
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S32600
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Manh Hung Nguyen, Andreas Kruse
Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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, sleep, balance
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