Study on meditation for sleep disorders

David S Black et al.

April 2015

Meditation, Pranayama, and more

Sleep therapy

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation for sleep disorders.

The sample, with an average age of 66.3 years and sleep disorders (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index PSQI >5), was divided into a mindfulness group (n = 24) and a sleep hygiene group (n = 25) and received a six-week treatment with two-hour sessions per week and home training.

The intention-to-treat analysis showed that the PSQI improved significantly in the mindfulness group, as did the severity of depression and fatigue.

No difference was found for anxiety, stress and inflammatory markers, although the latter decreased in both groups.

Meditation led directly to an improvement in sleep quality and also reduced some secondary symptoms of sleep disorders.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Sleep disorders
Institution: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Title: Study on meditation for sleep disorders
Brief description: Study: Mindfulness meditation significantly improves sleep quality and reduces depression and fatigue in older adults.
Original title: Mindfulness meditation and improvement in sleep quality and daytime impairment among older adults with sleep disturbances: a randomized clinical trial
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25686304/