Mindfulness Meditation for Insomnia

Summary

The investigators will conduct a 3-arm, pilot RCT where participants (N=30) will be randomized in a 1:1:1 design to 4 weeks of instructed bedtime MM practice at night (n=10) vs. uninstructed MM (n=10) vs. sleep hygiene education only (n=10). Aim 1 is to understand the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study procedures. Aim 2 is to explore patterns of within-group changes in sleep outcomes (i.e., insomnia severity and sleep quality). Patient-reported outcomes will be collected using a HIPAA-compliant electronic data management system (REDCap). Following informed consent, participants will receive links to REDCap surveys via email at Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 16. The investigators will also conduct a post-intervention interview at the end of Week 4 and an exit interview at Week 16. All participants will also receive a research kit with wearable devices and meet with our staff after they receive the kit for instructions. Data collected in the pilot RCT will help us to preliminarily identify tools for subjective measures and physiological signals to inform a future trial.

Conditions

• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
• Insomnia
• Insomnia Chronic
• Mindfulness
• Telemedicine

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Instructed bedtime app-guided mindfulness meditation

All participants will access the a smartphone app, and the mindfulness meditation practice may involve techniques such as breathing exercise, imagery, body scan, and relaxation. The investigators will provide instructions for participants who are assigned to practice at bedtime.

BEHAVIORAL

Uninstructed app-guided mindfulness meditation

The guided mindfulness meditation practice will also be based on the same app. The investigators will not provide instructions for participants, and they have complete freedom to use the app as real-world users.

BEHAVIORAL

Sleep hygiene education

Sleep hygiene education will be based on recognized, general, non-personalized sleep hygiene advice, for example, recommendations about bedtime routines and use of alcohol and caffeine, tips on creating a sleep-conducive bedroom environment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  collaborator NIH

• Brigham and Women's Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-28

Primary Completion

2028-07-31

Completion

2028-12-29

Countries

• United States

Study Locations