Effect of Home-Based Simplified Resistive Exercise on Insomnia, Sleep Quality, and Psychological Well-being among Postmenopausal Older Women

Abstract

Postmenopausal women often experience insomnia as one of the major complaints and a public health concern, which affect sleep quality and psychological well-being with advancing age. Therefore, the study aims to appraise the effect of a home-based simplified resistive exercise on insomnia, sleep quality and psychological well-being among postmenopausal older women. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, with a purposive sample of 184 women aged 60 years and above assigned to either an exercise group (n = 92) or a control group (n = 92) from Elzankloun village in Zagazig city. The control group received a health education, while the exercise group received a similar education and resistive exercise training program. Pre and post intervention assessments were collected from both groups using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Psychological Well-being Scale (PWBS). Results: The exercise group exhibited a significant improvement in sleep quality (p <.01), psychological wellbeing (p <.01), and insomnia severity (p <.01) post-intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion: The findings support the beneficial effects of a home-based simplified resistive exercise on insomnia, sleep quality, and psychological well-being among postmenopausal older women. Recommendations: Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of other types of physical exercise on the outcomes of interest. Adopting an active lifestyle after menopause through designing and implementing variety of exercise programs specifically tailored for older adult's women.