Efficacy of Yoga Nidra in Managing Sleep Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 41144325 · doi:10.1177/27683605251390728
What was done
Researchers systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Scopus through March 31, 2025, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the guided meditative practice of Yoga Nidra for sleep disorders and related psychological outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated across seven domains using the Cochrane RoB tool.
What was found
Six RCTs totaling 244 participants were identified across varied cohorts (chronic insomnia, acute insomnia, hypertension, healthcare workers during COVID-19, and athletes). Most included trials reported statistically significant improvements in sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency compared with controls (which included CBT-I, progressive muscle relaxation, and music relaxation). The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes or pooled statistics.
Why it matters
Yoga Nidra may serve as an accessible, non-pharmacological adjunct or alternative to standard behavioral relaxation techniques for improving sleep quality. However, the current evidence base is very preliminary.
Limits
The total sample size across all six trials is very small (n = 244). Most included trials had moderate to high risk of bias, primarily driven by lack of blinding and incomplete outcome reporting. There was substantial heterogeneity in intervention protocols, study duration, and outcome measures, and trials consistently failed to adequately report adverse events and safety data.
Cited by
- supports Yoga nidra (non-sleep deep rest) promotes physiological relaxation and facilitates sleep onset.