Effects of Tai Chi combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on sleep and emotional outcomes in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Mengxia Xu, Yu Wang, Zhoujian Ding et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomized controlled trials of combined Tai Chi and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for sleep and emotional outcomes in older adults. Three trials involving 211 participants were included. Compared with control interventions, the combination was associated with lower overall sleep severity (SMD = -0.51; 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.12; P = .01; I2 = 43%). Findings for other sleep-related outcomes and for depression, anxiety, and stress were inconclusive. The authors caution that the sleep-severity result is sensitive to individual studies and call for further well-designed trials.
Key findings
- Across three trials with 211 older adults, combined Tai Chi and rTMS reduced sleep severity versus control interventions (SMD = -0.51; 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.12; P = .01; I2 = 43%).
- Evidence for other sleep-related outcomes and for depression, anxiety, and stress was inconclusive.
Why it matters
Sleep problems in older adults often coexist with emotional symptoms, making evidence about interventions targeting sleep and mood clinically relevant. This review suggests a possible benefit of combined Tai Chi and rTMS for overall sleep severity, but does not establish effects on specific sleep parameters or emotional outcomes. The limited trial base means the result should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
Only three trials were included, and the authors report that the sleep-severity finding was sensitive to individual studies. Evidence for other outcomes was inconclusive.