Using Mindfulness for the Treatment of Insomnia.
Jason C Ong, Christine E. Smith
Current Sleep Medicine Reports April 29, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s40675-017-0068-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 58 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness meditation appears to be a viable treatment for insomnia, with strongest effects on self-report measures. |
Abstract
Purpose of reviewThe goal of this review is to provide an update on the use of mindfulness meditation for the treatment of insomnia, including conceptual models and empirical evidence from randomized controlled trials.Recent findingsA metacognitive model of insomnia has been proposed as a conceptual model to explain the application of mindfulness principles for reducing insomnia-related arousal. Furthermore, the evidence base for mindfulness-based therapies has grown with the results of several randomized controlled trials published in the past three years. Treatment effects appear to be strongest on self-report measures compared to objective measures of sleep.SummaryTreatment programs featuring mindfulness meditation appear to be viable treatment options for people with insomnia. Further research is needed to determine who is likely to benefit from mindfulness-based therapies and how these interventions work. Additionally, further work is needed to resolve issues related to the delivery and implementation of mindfulness-based therapies.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Effect of Mindfulness Dhikr Breathing Therapy for Insomniacs on Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal June 26, 2023
- Efficacy of online mindfulness for the treatment of insomnia in pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One 2025
- Effectiveness and Mechanisms of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Subthreshold to Clinical Insomnia Symptoms in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research May 5, 2025
- THE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDITY OF MINDFULNESS DHIKR BREATHING THERAPY FOR INSOMNIA The Indonesian Journal of Public Health November 16, 2023
- Dispositional Mindfulness and Its Impact on the Relationship Between Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Insomnia in Older Adults Research Square September 10, 2026
and 8 more in the library
Cites 19
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience August 13, 2007
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
and 14 more in the library