Aerobic exercise improves self-reported sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy of moderate aerobic physical activity with sleep hygiene education to improve sleep, mood and quality of life in older adults with chronic insomnia. Methods Seventeen sedentary adults aged ⩾55 years with insomnia (mean age 61.6 [SD ± 4.3] years; 16 female) participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing 16 weeks of aerobic physical activity plus sleep hygiene to non-physical activity plus sleep hygiene. Eligibility included primary insomnia for at least 3 months, habitual sleep duration <6.5 h and a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score >5. Outcomes included sleep quality, mood and quality of life questionnaires (PSQI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], Short-form 36 [SF-36], Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]). Results The physical activity group improved in sleep quality on the global PSQI ( p < .0001), sleep latency ( p = .049), sleep duration ( p = .04), daytime dysfunction ( p = .027), and sleep efficiency ( p = .036) PSQI sub-scores compared to the control group. The physical activity group also had reductions in depressive symptoms ( p = .044), daytime sleepiness ( p = .02) and improvements in vitality ( p = .017) compared to baseline scores. Conclusion Aerobic physical activity with sleep hygiene education is an effective treatment approach to improve sleep quality, mood and quality of life in older adults with chronic insomnia.