Meditation as a non-pharmacological treatment for narcolepsy: A literature review.
Fan Feng, Hui Guo, Grace A Ding, Albert Yeung
Sleep Medicine June 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106651 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Behavioral strategies Non-pharmacological intervention Narcolepsy: narcolepsy Alternative Meditation: meditation Practices |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Meditation may be a viable non-pharmacological intervention for reducing narcolepsy symptoms. |
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations, and is often associated with other psychological and physiological disturbances. These symptoms lead to decreased social functioning and lower quality of life for individuals with narcolepsy. While current pharmacological treatment for narcolepsy can be effective in improving symptoms, there are also significant side effects (e.g., headaches, dizziness, insomnia). Meditation, a non-pharmacological intervention focusing on regulation of attention and emotion, could be a viable alternative. We introduce the conceptualization and applications of meditation, and review the potential mechanisms and existing evidence of meditation as an intervention for reducing narcolepsy symptoms (i.e., EDS, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and overweight).
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
Cites 20
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention. Psychological Science June 1, 2010
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
and 15 more in the library