Tai Chi, Exercise Improves Sleep In Older Adults With Insomnia, Reports JAMA Study

A study in JAMA Network Open found tai chi can help older adults treat insomnia, reports Medical Dialogues . Through its low-impact exercises, tai chi can offer an alternative way to improve sleep among people resistant to conventional regimens. The researchers studied individuals 60 and older with chronic insomnia who participated in 12-week tai chi sessions, compared to participants randomized to 12-week conventional exercise training and non-interventional controls. The exercise and tai chi groups showed improved sleep patterns compared to controls, including better sleep efficiency, less wake time after onset of sleep, and number of awakenings as determined by actigraphy at postintervention. Moreover, actigraphy-assessed benefits persisted in both intervention groups at follow-up.