The Effect of Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Sleep Quality in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Fatemeh Miryounesi, Sima Ghezelbash, Mousa Alavi
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 2026 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_22_24 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized single-blinded controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder from Fatemeh Zahra and Parnian Autism Centers in Isfahan City, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program |
| Duration | Eight 90-minute sessions twice a week, with follow-up one month after intervention |
| Measures | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Autism spectrum disorder Disease managements Nursing Sleep quality Stress |
| Key findings | MBSR significantly improved sleep quality in mothers of children with ASD immediately after and one month post-intervention, while the control group showed no significant change. The authors conclude that MBSR effectively improves sleep and recommend its integration into healthcare protocols. |
Abstract
Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would experience elevated levels of stress and psychological distress. This study examined the effect of an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program on sleep quality in mothers of children with ASD. This was a randomized single-blinded controlled trial that was conducted in 2022 on 72 mothers of children with ASD from Fatemeh Zahra and Parnian Autism Centers in Isfahan City, Iran. Participants were recruited through a convenient sampling and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 36) and control (n = 36) groups. The intervention group underwent eight 90-min MBSR sessions twice a week. Data were collected using a demographic information form and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent samples: t-test, Chi-square, and one-way repeated-measure. The intervention group showed significantly improved sleep quality scores immediately after (F = 107.004, P < 0.001) and one month after (F = 107.004, P < 0.001) the intervention compared to the control group (lower PSQI score indicates better sleep quality). Repeated-measure ANOVA indicated a significant change in sleep quality scores over time within the intervention group (F = 107.004, P < 0.05), but no significant change was found in the control group (F = 1.292, P > 0.05). The findings of this study demonstrate that MBSR effectively improves sleep in mothers of children with ASD. Given its cost-effectiveness, MBSR should be integrated into healthcare protocols.
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
Cites 11
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- A mindfulness meditation mobile app improves depression and anxiety in adults with sleep disturbance: Analysis from a randomized controlled trial General Hospital Psychiatry September 11, 2021
- Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression, emotion regulation, and sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial study on depressed elderly. BMC Public Health January 23, 2024
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on adults with sleep disturbance: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open November 4, 2022
- An experimental study to inform adoption of mindfulness-based stress reduction in chronic low back pain. Implementation science communications August 6, 2022
and 6 more in the library