Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Improving Sleep in People with Psychiatric Disorders.
Allie L Peters, William J. Saunders, Melinda L. Jackson
Current Psychiatry Reports November 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01370-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with psychiatric disorders |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based interventions mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Insomnia Treatment |
| Key findings | The authors conclude that research provides some support for mindfulness-based interventions improving sleep in people with psychiatric disorders, with the strongest evidence for standardized programs in anxiety and depressive disorders. They note a paucity of well-controlled studies using validated sleep measures and suggest observed sleep improvements may be an indirect consequence of reduced psychiatric symptoms. They argue that insufficient research exists on mindfulness for sleep in psychiatric populations and propose that standardized, sleep-targeted interventions such as mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia be tested in well-controlled studies. |
Abstract
To review the recent literature on mindfulness-based strategies for improving self-report and objective measures of sleep, in individuals with psychiatric disorders. Currently, research provides some support for the use of mindfulness-based interventions to improve sleep amongst individuals with psychiatric comorbidities. The strongest evidence was for the use of standardized programs, particularly for improving sleep in anxiety and depressive disorders. There is a paucity of well-controlled studies using validated subjective or objective measures of sleep. As these interventions were not specifically designed to target sleep, observed improvements may be an indirect consequence of reduced psychiatric symptoms. There is insufficient research into the application of mindfulness-based strategies to improve sleep or treat sleep disorders in people with psychiatric disorders. Well-controlled studies using standardized, mindfulness-based interventions developed to target sleep, such as mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia, may optimize the potential benefits of mindfulness for sleep in psychiatric populations.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Analysis of independent risk factors for postpartum depression in elderly primiparas and the effects of mindfulness-based psychological intervention. American Journal of Translational Research 2024
- Exploring the underlying mechanism of the relation between trait mindfulness and insomnia among university students: a dual processing perspective. BMC Public Health February 13, 2026
Cites 28
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- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Behavioral Problems and Attentional Functioning in Adolescents with ADHD Journal of Child and Family Studies September 21, 2011
and 23 more in the library