Chronic insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders in this age group and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, and cognitive impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the preferred treatment for insomnia, but it is often difficult to access due to high costs and a shortage of qualified therapists. (CBT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on how thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors influence emotions and psychological problems.)
Researchers sought to bridge this gap by comparing the effectiveness of Tai Chi – a mind-body exercise popular in Chinese societies – with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) in managing chronic insomnia in 200 Chinese adults aged 50 and over, who were enrolled at a Hong Kong research center between May 2020 and July 2022. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Tai Chi or CBT sessions, one hour twice a week, for a total of 24 sessions.
The study used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess improvement after three months of intervention and after a follow-up period of up to 15 months. After three months, the Tai Chi group showed significant improvement, although less than the cognitive behavioral therapy group. After 15 months, the results of the two groups were similar, with comparable improvements in sleep quality, mental health, and physical activity levels, without any significant side effects.
The researchers noted that the participants' continued practice of Tai Chi after the intervention ended contributed to the positive results, stressing the need for further studies to apply these findings in different demographic contexts.
The researchers concluded that: "Our study supports Tai Chi as a long-term alternative treatment option for managing chronic insomnia in middle-aged and older adults."
Tai Chi is a type of traditional Chinese martial art that is practiced today mainly as a gentle exercise combining slow movement, deep breathing and mental focus.
The study was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
