Comparing Tai Chi Training to a Low-Stress Physical Activity to Enhance Sleep in Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT00079664

Last Updated: 2013-10-01

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2001-09-30
• Study Completion Date: 2003-07-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Tai Chi, in comparison to conventional exercise, on the quality of sleep among sedentary older adults.

Detailed Description

Elderly individuals often suffer from sleep disturbances. Chronic sleep problems can cause significant medical, psychological, and social disruptions. Although many sleep-related studies exist, few studies have focused on improving quality of sleep. Tai Chi, an exercise that incorporates meditation and breathing with whole body movements, may improve the quality of sleep and health status of elderly individuals.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi group or a conventional exercise control group. Participants in each group will exercise for 60 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 months. Assessment of sleep quality and health status will be done at study start, 3 months, 6 months, at the end of the study, and at a 3-month follow-up visit.

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Interventions

Tai Chi

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Sedentary, as defined by a lack of regular exercise during the previous 6 months
• Healthy to the degree that participation in exercise testing and an exercise program would not exacerbate any existing disease condition
• Physician's clearance for participation
• Willingness to adhere to the conditions of the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Sleep medication or other psychotropic medication during the study
• Current sleep disorder treatment
• Significant cognitive impairment as indicated by a score of 3 on the Pfeiffer Mental Status Questionnaire
• More than 7 alcoholic beverages per week or use of alcohol close to bedtime
• Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day
• Score of 5 or higher in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire
• Score of 3 or higher on 2 out of 3 sleep items drawn from the Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment of Wakefulness

• Minimum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Oregon Research Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Oregon Research Institute

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

R03MH062327

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

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DSIR AT-SO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

R03MH062327

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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