A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of Tai chi exercise on balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly in Vinh city, Vietnam.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
One hundred two subjects were recruited.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Tai chi is beneficial to improve balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance of the elderly.
Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. hung.nguyen@gero.uni-heidelberg.de
Manh Hung
MH
Nguyen
Andreas
A
Kruse
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*; D014744:Vietnam