Beneficial Effects of an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Sleep Quality in Italian Poor Sleepers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Trial

Teresa Fazia (), Francesco Bubbico, Andrea Nova, Salvatore Bruno, Davide Iozzi, Beril Calgan, Giancarlo Caimi, Michele Terzaghi, Raffaele Manni and Luisa Bernardinelli
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Teresa Fazia: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Francesco Bubbico: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Andrea Nova: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Salvatore Bruno: Istituto di Psicosintesi, 20124 Milano, Italy
Davide Iozzi: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Beril Calgan: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Giancarlo Caimi: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Michele Terzaghi: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Raffaele Manni: Unit of Sleep Medicine and Epilepsy, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Luisa Bernardinelli: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Sleep of inadequate quantity and quality is increasing in the present 24 h society, with a negative impact on physical and mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) generate a state of calm behavior that can reduce hyperactivity and improve sleep. We hypothesized that our specific MBI, administered online, may improve sleep quality and foster emotion regulation and mindfulness. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), Arousal Predisposition Scale (APS), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to measure sleep quality and stability. Emotion regulation and mindfulness were measured via the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Our MBI included 12 biweekly integral meditation (IM) classes, recorded IM training for individual practice, and dietary advice to promote sleep regulation. Fifty-six voluntary poor sleepers with a PSQI score of >5 were randomly allocated to treated ( n = 28) and control ( n = 28) groups. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the effectiveness of the intervention. Statistically significant results were observed in the FFMQ sub-domain non-reactivity to inner experience (β = 0.29 [0.06; −0.52], p = 0.01), PSQI (β = −1.93 [−3.43; −0.43], p = 0.01), SCI (β = 3.39 [0.66; 6.13], p = 0.02) and ISI (β = −3.50 [−5.86; −1.14], p = 0.004). These results confirm our hypothesis regarding the beneficial effects of our intervention on sleep quality.

Keywords: COVID-19; emotion regulation; mindfulness; sleep quality; sleep stability; wellbeing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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