Virtual Tai Chi in Older University Workers

Overview

This pilot, pragmatic behavioral intervention study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants aged 50+ were recruited from a university and assigned to immediate Tai Chi or a waitlist. Sessions were 3×/week for 6 weeks via Zoom. Some crossover occurred after assignment (partial randomization). Outcomes at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Primary outcome: PSQI. Retrospectively registered due to pandemic conditions. The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether the Tai Chi intervention improves sleep quality in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the Tai Chi intervention change global and component PSQI scores, and does baseline mindfulness modify intervention effects? What medical problems do participants have during the study time period? Sleep disturbance, especially among older adults, is linked to declines in overall well-being. Tai Chi has been identified as a promising tool to improve sleep quality. Participants will: * Enroll in a 6-week virtual Tai Chi program taught over Zoom. * Participants took three 50-minute classes every week and got recorded videos to practice on their own. * Half of the Participants started the classes right away, while a "waitlist" group had to wait 6 weeks before getting their turn with the exact same program. * What They Measured: The researchers tracked everyone's progress at the very start, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. They specifically measured sleep quality (using a standard questionnaire called the PSQI) and examined how mindful participants were when they first joined.

Sleep disturbance is a significant public health issue among older adults and is linked to declines in overall well-being. Tai Chi has been identified as a promising low-cost nonpharmacological strategy for improving sleep quality. However, evidence on the effectiveness of short-term virtual Tai Chi interventions remains limited, despite their potential value for older adults who face barriers to in-person participation. This study evaluated a 6-week virtual Tai Chi program delivered via Zoom. Participants attended three 50-minute sessions per week, with course recordings provided to support additional practice. A waitlist group received the same intervention after the initial 6-week period. Recruitment occurred on a university campus. Seven participants switched groups after randomization, resulting in incomplete randomization. Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire baseline data were assessed. The intention-to-treat approach was used in the main analyses, with pre-post comparisons serving as sensitivity analyses.