How to improve sleep and brain function in older adults

Scientists from Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China have found that combining a brain-stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with the practice of tai chi can improve sleep and mental abilities in older adults who have trouble sleeping and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Sleep problems are common among older adults, with almost half of those over 60 experiencing poor sleep. These issues can lead to memory problems and a higher risk of dementia.

Current treatments for sleep disorders, such as medications, often don’t work well and can have side effects. This has led researchers to explore alternative methods, like tai chi and brain stimulation, for better results.

Tai chi is a gentle exercise that originated as a martial art in China. It involves slow, flowing movements and deep breathing.

Studies have shown that tai chi can help people sleep better and slow down the mental decline that comes with aging. However, practicing tai chi regularly requires dedication and moderate physical effort, which can be challenging for some older adults.

rTMS, on the other hand, uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It is commonly used to treat depression that doesn’t respond to other treatments. It has also been explored for conditions like migraines and helping people quit smoking.

Although scientists aren’t entirely sure how it works, rTMS seems to improve brain function by waking up less active brain cells.

In this study, researchers wanted to see if adding rTMS to tai chi could make the exercise even more effective for improving sleep and mental function in older adults. The study involved 110 participants aged 60 to 75, all of whom had sleep problems and mild memory issues.

These individuals were divided into two groups. One group practiced tai chi while receiving real rTMS targeting a specific part of the brain linked to focus and memory. The other group also practiced tai chi but received fake (sham) rTMS, which didn’t actually stimulate the brain.

Both groups practiced a simplified version of tai chi known as the 24-form Yang style, with sessions held over six weeks. They were evaluated before the sessions began, right after the six weeks, and again 12 weeks later.

Researchers used two main tools to measure changes: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for mental abilities like memory and problem-solving.

The results showed that the group receiving real rTMS along with tai chi had better outcomes. After six weeks, this group scored 3.1 points better on the sleep quality scale and 1.4 points higher on the mental ability scale compared to the group with sham rTMS.

These improvements were still noticeable 12 weeks later, although the differences had slightly decreased.

Participants in the rTMS group also showed better memory, lower anxiety and depression levels, and improvements in specific mental tasks. Importantly, there were very few side effects, and none were directly caused by the treatment.

The researchers believe that rTMS may enhance the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections, making tai chi more effective. However, they admit that they don’t fully understand how this happens.

While the study showed promising results, it has some gaps. The researchers originally planned to use advanced brain imaging and biochemical tests to better understand the changes caused by rTMS and tai chi.

However, these methods were not included in the final report, leaving questions about the full scope of the study. Transparency about why these tools were excluded would strengthen the findings.

Overall, this research highlights a promising combination of tai chi and brain stimulation for improving sleep and mental function in older adults. More detailed studies are needed to confirm these results and explore how these methods work together.

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The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.