Effects of mindfulness in patients with mild cognitive impairment with insomnia: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Zhen-Zhen Cai, Rong Lin, Xiao-Xia Wang, Yuan-Jiao Yan, Hong Li
Geriatric Nursing 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.08.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Patients with mild cognitive impairment and insomnia |
| Interventions | Mindfulness therapy Health education |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Elderly Mild cognitive impairment Nursing home Sleep quality |
| Key findings | Mindfulness therapy significantly improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and reduced anxiety and perceived stress in patients with mild cognitive impairment and insomnia. |
Abstract
Current research on the effects of mindfulness therapy on MCI and insomnia has been inconsistent. It is still a hot topic of research and discussion. This study aimed to improve the sleep quality, cognition, and mental state of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with insomnia. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-five patients who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to the mindfulness (n = 38) or health education (n = 37) treatment group. The primary outcomes were sleep, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and cognition, measured by The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination. Secondary outcomes included insomnia, measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. EEG signals were collected at rest with eyes closed in the mindfulness state. The power spectrum was analyzed from these data. Cognitive function and sleep quality were significantly improved in the mindfulness group (95% confidence interval 0.04 - 0.05, 0.03 - 0.04, -5.58 - -1.55, respectively). Anxiety and perceived stress scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (95% confidence interval 0.002 - 0.004, 0.009 - 0.013, respectively). The power spectrum differences in δ, θ, β, and γ bands were significant between the rest and mindfulness states (P < .05). Good safety was achieved in both groups with no deaths or serious adverse events. Mindfulness improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and mentality of patients. Mindfulness practice caused deep relaxation in the brain and changes in electrical frequency bands associated with attention and cognitive tasks. Mindfulness learning can be performed successfully for individuals with MCI. Additionally, it is suitable for adoption in nursing homes.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Older Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2025
- Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation on Patients With Stroke With Concurrent Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2024
- Alpha-Theta Correlations during the Different States of the Brain for a Designed Cognitive Task International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Research June 30, 2023
- Meditation for subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Public Health 2025
- The effects of meditation–based interventions on sleep quality among adults aged ≥ 55 with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta–analysis Geriatric Nursing August 10, 2026
and 6 more in the library
Cites 21
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2007
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
and 16 more in the library