Struggling to fall asleep despite counting sheep? Mindfulness therapy could potentially aid in inducing sleep

In a significant breakthrough for sleep research, a study conducted by the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has demonstrated the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia (MBTI) in improving sleep outcomes in older adults with sleep complaints.

The study, named "Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial," was published in the prestigious journal Psychological Medicine on 1 July 2021. It compared MBTI with an active Sleep Hygiene, Education, and Exercise Programme (SHEEP) and found MBTI to be more effective in reducing insomnia symptoms.

Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, affects up to half of Singaporean adults, with sleep quality tending to worsen with age. The disorder is strongly linked to hyperarousal, and MBTI uses behavioral strategies to address bad sleep habits and mindfulness techniques to deal with dysfunctional or arousing thoughts.

Assistant Professor Lim from the Centre for Sleep and Cognition suggested that MBTI could serve as a valid alternative for individuals who have failed or have no access to standard frontline therapies. The therapy, which can be delivered in groups within and outside of a medical setting, provides easier and more efficient access to seek help for sleep issues.

The study found that MBTI participants took less time to fall asleep and spent less time awake during the night compared to the SHEEP group. The MBTI course included formal mindfulness exercises and group discussions about sleep difficulties, while SHEEP provided information about sleep biology and sleep-promoting exercises.

The Centre for Sleep and Cognition, based at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, conducts research and advocacy efforts to improve sleep quality and cognitive potential. The centre aims to enhance human cognitive potential and reduce the impact of lifestyle factors and neurodegenerative diseases on cognition and well-being.

The study was funded by the Singapore Millennium Foundation, the Far East Organization, and start-up funding from Duke-NUS Medical School and NUS. The long waiting time for such treatment in Singapore, due to limited available local providers, further highlights the need for alternative, effective treatments like MBTI.

Struggling to fall asleep despite counting sheep? Mindfulness therapy could potentially aid in inducing sleep