title: Tai chi qigong as a means to improve night-time sleep quality among older adults with cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Age-related cognitivee decline is a growing public health concern worldwide. More than a quarter of adults with cognitive impairment experience sleep disturbance. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effects of tai chi qigong (TCQ) on improving the night-time sleep quality of older adults with cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults with cognitive impairment who complain of sleep disturbance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial with two groups. Fifty-two subjects were recruited from two district elderly community centers and randomly assigned to either the TCQ group (n=27) or the control group (n=25). The intervention group received TCQ training consisting of two 60-minute sessions each week for 2 months. The control group was advised to maintain their usual activities. Sleep quality was measured by the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Quality of life was measured by Short-form 12, cognitive functions measured by mini-mental state examination, and subjective memory deficits measured by the memory inventory for Chinese.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were collected at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Significant results were noted at 6 months in the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score (P=0.004), sleep duration (P=0.003), habitual sleep efficiency (P=0.002), and the Short-form 12 mental health component (P<0.001). The TCQ participants reported better sleep quality and a better (quality of life) mental health component than the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCQ can be considered a useful nonpharmacological approach for improving sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  CUHK_CCT00448 (https://www2.ccrb.cuhk.edu.hk/registry/public/287).
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Aileen Wk
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Doris Sf
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Diana Tf
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Janet Wh
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sit
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Helen Yl
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*
keywords: cognitive decline; mind–body exercise; nonpharmacological approach; sleep disturbances