The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Older Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Yue Li, Jiaxing Tang, Gaopeng Chen
Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2025 DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2025.2475911 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,052 |
| Population | Older adults with poor sleep quality |
| Interventions | Mindfulness Tai Chi Yoga Qigong |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Meditation-based mind-body interventions significantly improved sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in older adults with poor sleep quality, but did not significantly affect stress. |
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of meditation-based mind-body interventions (MBIs) (Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) for older adults with poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality exerts negative impact on life quality of old adults. The meditation-based mind-body interventions, with merits of simplicity, practicality, accessibility, and widespread dissemination, have been widely used to improve sleep in the older adults. However, the effects of MBIs on sleep quality of old adults are largely unknown. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out following the PRISMA-P guidelines. Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched to gather randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of MBIs on older adults with poor sleep quality. Study quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. This study included 11 randomized controlled trials (with 1,052 participants) published between 2008 and 2023. Compared to the control group, there was a significant improvement in sleep quality (SMD= -0.66, 95%CI [-0.894, -0.426], P<0.00001), depression (SMD=-1.60, 95% CI [-1.89, 0.23], P=0.005), and anxiety (SMD= -1.46, 95% CI [-3.67, 0.75], P=0.026) for older adults with poor sleep quality. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the treatment effect for stress (SMD= -4.45, 95% CI [-10.24, 1.35], P=0.196). Meditation-based mind-body interventions significantly improved the sleep quality of older adults with poor sleep quality. Nevertheless, more evidence is needed to support this. The protocol for this study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023445082). https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=445082. CRD42023445082.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
- The effect of the Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction program on the level of perceived stress and geriatric depression in older adults: a randomised controlled study Psychogeriatrics January 3, 2023
- Occupational Therapist-Led Mindfulness Training Program for Older Adults Living with Early Cognitive Decline in Primary Care: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports 2023
- A Meta-Regression of psychosocial factors associated with sleep outcomes in mindfulness-based intervention trials. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2025
and 10 more in the library