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This section features a recent systematic review that is indexed on PEDro, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (www.pedro.org.au). PEDro is a free, web-based database of evidence relevant to physiotherapy
▸ Yang PY, Ho KH, Chen HC, et al. Exercise training improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems: a systematic review. J Physiother 2012;58:157–63.
Background
Insomnia is characterised by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, waking too early and daytime impairment in function.1 Its prevalence ranges from 10% to 40%.2 Various medications are used to treat insomnia, but side effects are common.3 Non-pharmacological interventions with some efficacy include sleep hygiene advice (eg, set a regular bedtime, limit alcohol and caffeine, and increase daylight exposure), cognitive–behavioural therapy and exercise.2 Recent randomised trials have added to the evidence about the effects of exercise on sleep since previous systematic reviews were conducted.
Aim
This systematic review aimed to determine whether an aerobic or resistance training programme improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems.
Searches and inclusion criteria
PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, CENTRAL and CEPS were searched for items that included terms for insomnia, …
Footnotes
Contributors SM and MRE selected the systematic review. MRE wrote the first draft of the manuscript. SM and MRE contributed to interpretation of the data and revision of drafts, approved the final manuscript and are guarantors.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.