A study published by The BMJ indicates that tai chi is as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for managing chronic insomnia in adults aged 50 and older. This trial, conducted in Hong Kong, suggests tai chi can be a viable long-term treatment option for this common sleep disorder among middle-aged and older adults.

Read More

Chronic insomnia poses increased risks for cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, and cognitive impairments. While CBT is the standard recommended treatment, access can often be limited due to high costs and a shortage of qualified therapists.

To investigate the effectiveness of tai chi compared to CBT, researchers enrolled 200 Chinese adults aged 50 and over diagnosed with chronic insomnia, from May 2020 to July 2022. Participants were selected based on criteria including mobility without assistance and absence of chronic health conditions that might affect sleep.

The individuals were randomized into two groups: one received tai chi training while the other underwent CBT interventions, each consisting of bi-weekly group sessions totaling 24 hours. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to gauge changes in insomnia severity immediately after the interventions and at a 12-month follow-up, focusing on symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep and waking too early.

At the beginning of the trial, both groups exhibited moderate insomnia severity. After three months, the tai chi group experienced a reduction of 6.67 points in ISI scores, while the CBT group saw a decrease of 11.19 points. Thus, tai chi was initially found to be inferior to CBT at this mark. However, at the 15-month follow-up, the reductions in scores were 9.51 for tai chi and 10.18 for CBT, with tai chi achieving non-inferiority.

Both treatment methods also showed similar improvements in subjective sleep quality, overall health, mental well-being, and physical activity levels, with no adverse effects noted during the intervention.

The researchers suggest that ongoing practice of tai chi beyond the study may have contributed to its effectiveness. They call for further research to evaluate the applicability of their findings in diverse populations. The study conclusively supports tai chi as a promising alternative for the long-term management of chronic insomnia in older adults.