The effects of a mindfulness‐based stress reduction programme on pre‐sleep cognitive arousal and insomnia symptoms: a pilot study
Andrea L. Cincotta, Philip Gehrman, Nalaka S. Gooneratne, Michael J. Baime
Stress and Health August 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1002/smi.1370 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The programme lowered pre-sleep arousal and milder subjective insomnia symptoms post-intervention, with longer meditation practice in the final week associated with greater decreases in cognitive arousal scores, but no improvements in objectively measured sleep variables. |
Abstract
AbstractThe use of mindfulness meditation for stress management has grown in recent years. Practising mindfulness meditation has been shown to help manage stress and decrease arousal, both of which are associated with difficulty sleeping; thus, mindfulness‐based stress management programmes may have a positive impact on sleep. The effects of an 8‐week mindfulness‐based stress management programme on pre‐sleep cognitive arousal and insomnia symptoms were examined. Sleep was assessed with self‐report measures and objectively with actigraphy. Results showed lower levels of pre‐sleep arousal and milder subjective insomnia symptoms post‐intervention. Longer duration of meditation practice in the final week was associated with greater decreases in cognitive arousal scores. No improvements were found in objectively measured sleep variables. The results of this study suggest that mindfulness‐based stress management can lead to improvements in cognitive arousal and self‐reports of sleep, even in the absence of objective evidence of sleep improvement. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.