The effects of mindfulness and relaxation training for insomnia (MRTI) on postmenopausal women: a pilot study.
Marcelo C Garcia, Elisa H. Kozasa, Sergio Tufik, Luiz Eugênio A M Mello, Helena Hachul
Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society September 2018 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001118 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 years, not using hormone therapy, with a diagnosis of insomnia and an apnea-hypopnea index below 15 |
| Intervention | Mindfulness and relaxation training for insomnia |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Measures | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life, Kupperman Menopausal Index, Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale, ambulatory polysomnography |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Eight weeks of mindfulness and relaxation training for insomnia improved self-reported sleep quality, reduced insomnia severity, improved menopause-specific quality of life and attention, and reduced menopausal and vasomotor symptoms compared with a control group, while polysomnography showed no differences between groups. The authors note the pilot study is limited by its small sample size. |
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of mindfulness and relaxation training for insomnia on insomnia and quality of life in postmenopausal women. Thirty postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 years, who were not using hormone therapy, and had a diagnosis of insomnia and an apnea-hypopnea index of less than 15, were randomly assigned to two groups: a mindfulness intervention group and a control group. They were assessed before the intervention, and 8 weeks after its completion using questionnaires assessing sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), quality of life in menopause (Menopause-Specific Quality of Life), menopausal symptoms (Kupperman Menopausal Index), and level of attention (Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale). They were also assessed through ambulatory polysomnography. This is a pilot study and is limited by its small sample size. The results of the questionnaires showed significant differences in the group that received mindfulness training compared with the control group, namely, improvements in sleep quality, a reduction in the severity of insomnia, a better quality of life, improved attention levels, and a reduction in menopausal and vasomotor symptoms. Polysomnography results showed no differences between the groups. Eight weeks mindfulness meditation training improved sleep quality, quality of life, attention levels, and reduced vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women with insomnia.
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
Cited by 5
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders July 15, 2025
- The effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on cognitive skills in young soccer players Exercise and Quality of Life January 3, 2025
- Reducing Menopausal Symptoms With Mindfulness-Based Meditation Holistic Nursing Practice March 1, 2024
- Mindfulness as an Adjunct or Alternative to CBT-I. Sleep Medicine Clinics March 2023
- The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness in menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Public Health January 9, 2023
Cites 15
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
- Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation Neuroreport May 1, 2000
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
and 10 more in the library