Research into Tai Chi’s
Role in Insomnia Has Ballooned
In recent years, Tai Chi (Taijiquan) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing insomnia, especially among older adults. A 2025 bibliometric study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry highlighted a significant global rise in research on the topic from 2006 to 2025. The number of peer-reviewed publications on Tai Chi and insomnia has steadily increased, with China and the United States contributing the most studies. This growing body of literature reflects increasing clinical and academic interest in the potential of Tai Chi as a complementary therapy for sleep disorders.
One of the most notable recent findings came from a clinical trial reported by News-Medical.net in November 2025, which found that Tai Chi was "non-inferior" to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the current gold standard treatment. The randomized trial involved adults aged 50 and older and found that both interventions significantly improved sleep quality, duration, and overall wellbeing. This suggests Tai Chi may be a viable alternative for individuals who lack access to or cannot tolerate traditional CBT-I methods.
Several meta-analyses have reinforced these findings, identifying Tai Chi as an effective means to address not only sleep quality but also associated conditions such as anxiety and depression, which frequently co-occur with insomnia. The low-impact, meditative nature of Tai Chi makes it especially suitable for elderly populations and those managing chronic conditions.
As scientific interest grows, Tai Chi is increasingly being recognized not just as a traditional practice but as a legitimate therapeutic approach in modern integrative medicine. Still, further long-term, large-sample studies are needed to standardize protocols and confirm sustained effects over time.
