Tai Chi as a Community-based Health Promotion Strategy to Promote Sleep Quality in Middle-aged Women in Hong Kong

DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC14.15

Authors: Linda Yin King Lee, Paul Zoen Kit Chan, Betsy Chan, Daisy Chan, Wing Kit Kwan, Christine Hoi Wai Lam, Yin Mai Lam, Joanne Cho Yan Lau, Ka Wai Tam, Nga Yi Lau, Mei Lam Lee

Abstract: Middle-aged women are prone to sleep problems. Indentifying a community-based intervention targeted to promote sleep quality in this population is needed. Tai Chi is easy to implement and non-pharmacological. It is apparently a desirable option for health promotion in the community. This cross-sectional study examined the sleep quality among 181 female middle-aged Tai Chi practitioners. Their sleep quality, as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), was satisfactory. Participants revealed a global PSQI score of 5.5, with 34.3{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} of them classified as good sleepers (PSQI < 5). Their performance was better than those middle-aged women in previous studies who did not practice Tai Chi. Sleep quality was found to be positively correlated with the duration of Tai Chi practice. Unlike previous studies, this study was conducted on a group of experienced Tai Chi practitioners instead of learners. The present consideration could better guarantee proper Tai Chi practice among the participants. The present findings supported the potential health benefits of long-term Tai Chi practice on sleep quality in middle-aged women. A systematic investigation is recommended to confirm the study results. Keywords: Hong Kong; middle-aged women; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; sleep quality; Tai Chi