Efficacy of Yoga Nidra in Managing Sleep Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent and significantly impact physical and mental health. Yoga Nidra, a guided meditative practice, has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance sleep quality. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of Yoga Nidra in managing sleep disorders across diverse populations. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Yoga Nidra for sleep-related outcomes, published up to March 31, 2025. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of Yoga Nidra on sleep quality and related psychological outcomes. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane RoB tool (in seven domains). Results: Six RCTs (n = 244) were included, involving participants with chronic insomnia, hypertension, acute insomnia, COVID-19 health care workers, and sportspersons. Most studies reported significant improvements in key sleep parameters such as sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency among participants practicing Yoga Nidra. Improvements were observed compared to various control interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, progressive muscle relaxation, and music-based relaxation. However, heterogeneity was noted in intervention protocols, outcome measures, and duration. Most studies had moderate to high RoB, primarily due to lack of blinding and incomplete outcome reporting. Moreover, there was a lack of accurate reporting of adverse events and safety data across the studies. Conclusion: Yoga Nidra appears to show promise as a therapeutic intervention for improving sleep and related mental health outcomes. Nevertheless, high-quality, methodologically robust RCTs are needed to confirm its efficacy and support its integration into evidence-based clinical practice.