The Application of Meditation/Mindfulness Therapy for Stress and Insomnia in the Elderly: A Literature Review
Bachtiar Safrudin, Dwi Widyastuti, Agil Anata, Hanun Almadaniyah, Sekar Putri Azzahrah, Devi Clarisa Amanda, Nurjanah Nurjanah, Nur Khalizah, Anisa Duwi Putri, Dwi Amelia Safitri, Rayshifa Sadien, Niken Anggreini
INDOGENIUS February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.56359/igj.v5i1.910 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults in Indonesia |
| Interventions | meditation mindfulness therapy yoga relaxation exercises |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Insomnia Relaxation psychology Guided imagery Progressive muscle relaxation Clinical psychology Psychotherapist Relaxation therapy Sleep quality Autogenic training Hypnosis Stress linguistics Stress management Physical therapy |
| Key findings | Meditation and mindfulness therapy significantly reduce stress and improve sleep quality in older adults. |
Abstract
Background &
Objective: Older adults often experience psychological and physiological changes that lead to stress and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Mindfulness and meditation therapy have been widely applied as non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety among elderly populations. This literature review aims to analyze and synthesize evidence from Indonesian studies regarding the effectiveness of meditation and mindfulness therapy in reducing stress and insomnia in older adults.
Method: A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Garuda, and Neliti databases for Indonesian studies published from 2019–2025. Eighteen eligible articles were analyzed, including three local studies by Bachtiar Safrudin focusing on yoga, physical activity, and elderly exercise as relaxation interventions.
Result: Most studies demonstrated that meditation and mindfulness significantly reduce stress and improve sleep quality in the elderly. Local findings also supported these effects through yoga and relaxation exercises.
Conclusion: Meditation and mindfulness are effective, simple, and safe interventions that can be integrated into community-based nursing programs to enhance elderly mental health.