0562 Effect of an Online Meditation Program in Women with Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Maria José Pereira Morais, A. Bezerra, C. Banzoli, L. Lucena, Marcia Prieto, Sergio Tufik, Helena Hachul
Sleep May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaf090.0562 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 62 |
| Population | Women aged 18 to 47 years with insomnia diagnosed by a sleep specialist; mean age 35.8 years, normal BMI, high level of education |
| Duration | Eight virtual weekly sessions; measurements at baseline and at the end of the program |
| Measures | Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The online Anapana meditation program reduced Insomnia Severity Index scores by 10.29 points by the end of the protocol, reaching a mean score of 8.29, with significant effects of time, group, and their interaction. Of 34 intervention participants, 70.6% responded to treatment, and 66.7% of responders had remission of ISI symptoms. The authors conclude online meditation appears to be a promising therapy for improving insomnia symptoms in women of reproductive age. |
Abstract
An epidemiological study conducted by the Sleep Institute in 2007 revealed that 44.8% of the population in São Paulo exhibited symptoms of insomnia, with women being disproportionately affected (32%). Considering a global adaptation towards utilizing technology for health services, the present study evaluated the effects of an online meditation program on women with insomnia. The study was a longitudinal, randomized and controlled trial. Participants include women aged 18 to 47 years with insomnia diagnosed by a sleep specialist. The sample was distributed into two groups: Intervention and Control. Both groups received an initial lecture about sleep hygiene. The Intervention group was invited to participate in eight virtual weekly sessions. During these sessions, participants received guidance to engage in meditation practice using the Anapana technique, which focuses on breath regulation to calm the mind. The Control group remained on a waitlist. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to evaluate the main outcome. Measurements were taken at the baseline and at the end of the program. General Mixed Model (GMM) with within-subject random factor was utilized to assess the effects of meditation on ISI, comparing the Control and Intervention groups. A total of 307 women registered for the project, of which 120 were included. Of these, 62 completed the protocol. The overall sample had a mean age of 35.8 years, with a normal BMI and a high level of education. Results from the GMM indicated a significant effect of time, group, and the interaction of time*group. The intervention showed a decrease of 10.29 points in ISI at the end of protocol, with a mean score of 8.29 points on this instrument. The participants’ results varied by 37.7% among them. Of the 34 participants who received intervention, 70.6% responded to treatment, and of those who responded, 66.7% had remission of ISI symptoms. Online meditation appears to be a promising therapy for improving insomnia symptoms in women of reproductive age. Our studies are supported by the Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP) and CAPES. ST is a recipient of a grant from the CNPq.
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 |