Exercise Reduces Sleep Disturbances in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Study Finds

While previous studies on sleep among this demographic relied on self-reported surveys, which can be unreliable for those with cognitive issues, digital health expert Jungjoo “Jay” Lee and health behavior expert Junhyoung “Paul” Kim conducted a more rigorous analysis. They monitored the physical activity of seven older adults at a long-term care facility for 14 days, assessing their movement intensity as light, moderate, or vigorous and measuring sleep based on metrics such as physical movement, heart rate fluctuations, and skin temperature changes.

The findings indicated that both vigorous and light exercises improved sleep quality, although the effect of vigorous exercise was significantly greater. “For every extra second of vigorous activity, sleep disruptions dropped by nearly a fifth of a second,” Kim noted. In contrast, the researchers found that moderate exercise did not have a noteworthy impact on sleep.

Despite the limitations of a small sample size and the lack of differentiation between types of physical activities, Lee and Kim believe their research addresses a critical need as the number of individuals aged 65 and older with MCI in the U.S. is predicted to rise by 76%, exceeding 21 million by 2060. They advocate for tailored exercise programs, such as group walking clubs and swimming lessons, as effective methods to enhance the quality of life for these older adults.