Mapping Global Research Trends of Tai Chi for Sleep Health: Scientometric Insights and Network-Based Perspectives

Sleep disorders have become a widespread public health challenge closely linked to cognitive decline, immune dysfunction, and chronic diseases. While pharmacological and cognitive–behavioral therapies remain standard treatments, their limitations—such as dependency and relapse—necessitate effective, low-risk alternatives. Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise emphasizing mindfulness, breathing, and gentle movement, has been increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance sleep quality. However, global research in this area remains scattered and lacks integrative synthesis. This study aims to systematically map the global research landscape, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution of Tai Chi in improving sleep health, synthesizing the findings from existing literature and identifying its knowledge structure and emerging public health relevance. Publications related to Tai Chi and sleep (2000–2025) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases. Scientometric and bibliometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Carrot2, and Tableau Public to evaluate publication trends, countries, institutions, authorship, journal co-citations, and keyword clusters. A total of 688 publications were identified, showing a rapid increase in research output after 2015. China and the United States together contributed nearly 70% of global publications, with the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Hong Kong as leading institutions. Three dominant research clusters emerged: (1) Neuromodulation and physiological mechanisms regulating autonomic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis balance; (2) Psychological and emotional regulation improving stress, anxiety, and depression; (3) Clinical and preventive applications among elderly, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and cancer populations. Recent randomized controlled trials have suggested that Tai Chi may offer comparable efficacy to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and its potential role in multidimensional health enhancement. This scientometric analysis provides the first comprehensive overview of global Tai Chi research on sleep improvement. The findings suggest that Tai Chi may serve as a culturally adaptable, cost-effective, and holistic intervention for sleep health promotion, bridging traditional exercise and modern public health frameworks. • Identified three thematic clusters: neuromodulation, stress–inflammation, and clinical translation. • Tai Chi improves sleep via autonomic–HPA balance and anti-inflammatory modulation. • Network analysis reveals growing integration with psychoneuroimmunology and sleep medicine. • Provides a neuro-immunometabolic framework linking Tai Chi to sleep restoration mechanisms.