The Effect Of Resistance Training On The Sleep Quality And Cognitive Function Of The Elderly In A Nursing Home

ObjectivesThe study was based on resistance training program of previous research at home and abroad and combined with lifestyle and the quality of body of the older adults in China,to explore resistance training intervention for sleep quality and cognitive function in the elderly in the nursing home,in order to find an effective physical activity to improve sleep quality and delay cognitive decline of the elderly.MethodsThis study is an experimental study.In this study,62 elderly people in a nursing homes of Changchun city who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to intervention group 31 and control group 31.A total of 59 participants completed the intervention study,including 31 in the intervention group and 28 in the control group.In the intervention group,progressive resistance training was carried out for 60-80 min session,2-3 times a week for 12 weeks.Participants in the control group maintained original lifestyle without any intervention.Before intervention,baseline data of participants in two groups were evaluated by general data questionnaire,MiniMental State Examination(MMSE)and Actigraph-sleep version.After 12-week intervention,the effects of resistance training on sleep quality and cognitive function of the elderly in nursing home were evaluated by Actigraph-sleep version and MMSE,respectively.Results 1.General informationAge,gender,height,weight,body mass index(BMI),education level,marital status,monthly income,smoking status,drinking status,disease status and other general data of the two groups were compared.The results showed that the demographic difference between two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05),and the data balance was comparable.2.Comparison between groups(1)Sleep quality: There was no statistically significant difference in sleep quality and various parameters between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05).After 12 weeks of intervention,compared with the control group,sleep efficiency of the elderly in the intervention group was significantly improved,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05),and the scores were higher than those in the control group.The wake time after sleep onset(WASO),awakening of the elderly in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the scores were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in other parameters of sleep quality between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)Cognitive function: There was no statistically significant difference in cognitive function and various dimensions between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05).After 12 weeks of intervention,cognitive function,recall ability and language ability of the elderly in the intervention group were significantly improved compared with the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),and the score was higher than the control group.There were no significant differences in other dimensions of cognitive function between the two groups(P>0.05).3.Comparison in the group(1)Sleep quality: After 12 weeks of intervention,compared with baseline,sleep efficiency of the elderly in the intervention group was significantly improved,and awakening time,awakening times and sleep fragmentation index were significantly reduced,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).In the control group,total sleep duration,sleep efficiency were shortened and number of awakenings was increased after 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)Cognitive function: After 12 weeks of intervention,compared with baseline,the total score of language ability and cognition in the intervention group was improved,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In the control group,the total cognitive score and the differences in each dimension were not statistically significant 12 weeks after intervention compared to baseline(P>0.05).Conclusions1.Resistance training can improve sleep quality of elderly people in nursing home,mainly manifested in sleep efficiency and wake time after sleep onset,number of awakening,and sleep fragmentation index.2.Resistance training has a significant positive impact on the recall ability and language ability of the elderly,thus improving the cognitive function of the elderly.3.In this study,the sleep characteristics and physical conditions of elderly people in nursing home were understood.Economic,practical,safe and portable elastic belts were used as training tools to increase the interest and compliance of elderly people in sports.