A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Tai chi exercise on balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly in Vinh city, Vietnam. DESIGN A randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS One hundred two subjects were recruited. INTERVENTION Subjects were divided randomly into two groups. The Tai chi group was assigned 6 months' Tai chi training. The control group was instructed to maintain their routine daily activities. OUTCOME MEASURES The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Trail Making Test (TMT) were used as primary outcome measures. RESULTS Participants in the Tai chi group reported significant improvement in TMT (part A) (F [1, 71] = 78.37, P < 0.001) and in TMT (part B), (F [1, 71] = 175.00, P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group. Tai chi participants also reported better scores in FES (F [1, 71] = 96.90, P < 0.001) and in PSQI (F [1,71] = 43.69, P = 0.001) than the control group. CONCLUSION Tai chi is beneficial to improve balance, sleep quality, and cognitive performance of the elderly.