A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Improving Insomnia Symptoms
Lucinda Kennett, B. Bei, M. Jackson
Mindfulness August 6, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-021-01714-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Adults with insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index ≥ 8), mean age 29.44 years (SD 11.97) |
| Duration | 6-week intervention; assessments at baseline, mid-, and post-study |
| Measures | Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A six-week digital MBTI program was feasible (22% attrition, 79% of modules completed) and produced significantly greater reductions in insomnia severity and in cognitive and somatic pre-sleep arousal than a waitlist control. No significant group differences were found for mood. The authors describe the results as preliminary evidence of feasibility and efficacy. |
Abstract
Insomnia has widespread negative implications for health and well-being. Online delivery of mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia (MBTI) has not previously been evaluated. This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a digital MBTI program for improving insomnia symptoms. It was hypothesized that a 6-week digital MBTI program would reduce insomnia symptoms and pre-sleep arousal and improve mood, compared to a waitlist control condition. Twenty-seven participants (M = 29.44, SD = 11.97 years) experiencing insomnia symptoms (insomnia severity index [ISI] ≥ 8) were randomized to either a 6-week intervention or waitlist condition. Participants completed the ISI, pre-sleep arousal scale (PSAS), and the positive and negative affect schedule at baseline, mid-, and post-study. Feasibility was assessed across four domains (acceptability, implementation, practicality, and preliminary efficacy) using self-reports, attrition, program completions, and module completions. Feasibility data for the intervention indicated that there was 22% attrition, and 79% of the modules were completed. There were significantly greater reductions in the severity of insomnia symptoms (p < .001) and both cognitive (p = .03) and somatic (p = .02) subscales of the PSAS, at post-intervention compared to the waitlist group. There were no significant group differences in mood. This study provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and efficacy of a digital MBTI, which may assist in the broader dissemination of insomnia treatment. Trial Registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12620000398909
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 10
- Experiences of Using Digital Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Rapid Scoping Review and Thematic Synthesis. Journal of Medical Internet Research September 28, 2023
- Effectiveness and Mechanisms of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Subthreshold to Clinical Insomnia Symptoms in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research May 5, 2025
- User Experiences and Effects of Expert-Led YouTube Mind-Body Interventions on Insomniacs: A Survey Study. Journal of Korean medical science June 2, 2025
- Treating insomnia during pregnancy improves bedtime procrastination, rumination, anxiety, and positive affect: a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies for prenatal insomnia. SLEEP Advances 2026
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of standalone digital mindfulness-based interventions on sleep in adults. NPJ Digital Medicine December 3, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 9
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
- Using Mindfulness for the Treatment of Insomnia. Current Sleep Medicine Reports April 29, 2017
- The Quest for Mindful Sleep: A Critical Synthesis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Insomnia. Current Sleep Medicine Reports September 2016
and 4 more in the library