The effects of meditation–based interventions on sleep quality among adults aged ≥ 55 with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta–analysis
Jieun Lim, Adriana Pérez
Geriatric Nursing August 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104213 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 434 |
| Population | Older adults aged 55 years or older with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) |
| Measures | PSQI |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Meditation-based interventions significantly improved subjective sleep quality in older adults with MCI (Hedges' g = -0.75, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.28), with moderate certainty of evidence. Secondary outcomes included reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, and improved attention and memory. |
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are common in older adults with MCI, associated with cognitive decline and reduced quality of life. Pharmacological treatment remains common despite safety concerns. Meditation-based interventions may improve sleep and psychological well-being, yet evidence among individuals with MCI remains limited. This systematic review evaluated the effects of MBIs on sleep quality among adults aged ≥55 years with MCI, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Five databases were searched through June 2025, identifying RCTs, pilot RCTs, and quasi-experimental studies using validated sleep measures. Seven studies (n = 434) met inclusion criteria, with interventions lasting 4-12 weeks and encompassing mindfulness, mantra, sound meditation, and hybrid programs. Five studies showed significant improvements in subjective sleep quality; one actigraphy-based study reported reduced daytime napping. A random-effects meta-analysis of six studies reporting PSQI outcomes demonstrated a significant overall improvement in sleep quality (Hedges' g = -0.75, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.28), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 77.9%). Secondary outcomes included reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, and improved attention and memory. Evidence indicated moderate certainty that MBIs improve sleep quality in MCI. These findings suggest MBIs are promising non-pharmacological strategies to enhance subjective sleep quality and psychological well-being in older adults with MCI. Integrating meditation-based strategies could be explored as a potential, supportive approach within gerontological nursing and community programs, but caution is warranted given the limited and heterogeneous evidence base. Larger, multi-site RCTs with standardized protocols, including both objective and subjective sleep assessments, are needed to strengthen generalizability and guide evidence-based practice.
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 6
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
- Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia Research in Gerontological Nursing March 2, 2018
- Effects of mindfulness training on quality of life and well-being in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Aging & Mental Health April 12, 2025
- Effects of mindfulness in patients with mild cognitive impairment with insomnia: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Geriatric Nursing 2022
- Meditation interventions efficiently reduce cortisol levels of at-risk samples: a meta-analysis Health Psychology Review July 7, 2020
and 1 more in the library