RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06888336

Yoga Nidra for Insomnia and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Yoga Nidra Meditation for Insomnia and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: A Randomized-Controlled Feasibility Study

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Mar 3, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Insomnia Psychological Trauma Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Stressor, Psychological

Summary

This randomized feasibility study is designed to investigate the feasibility of recruitment and delivery of two variations (brief; full) of a virtual Integrative Restoration (iRest) yoga nidra meditation intervention in stressor- or trauma-exposed participants with insomnia and posttraumatic stress symptoms, compared to a waitlist control group. Feasibility will also be examined for data collection (daily sleep diaries and PTSD symptom surveys) and at-home polysomnography (PSG) study completion prior to and following the intervention. Feasibility measures will include study retention and-for the two yoga nidra groups-adherence to study protocol, and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed qualitatively, in semi-structured interviews, and quantitatively, with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, following the intervention. Acceptability of the daily surveys will also be assessed quantitatively. Preliminary efficacy of the interventions on the primary treatment outcomes of insomnia and PTSD symptoms and symptom clusters will be assessed. Secondary outcomes include changes in specific sleep architecture assessed in an at-home polysomnogram (sleep stages, including stage N3 percentage, sleep spindles, rapid eye movement (REM) theta, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset time, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency), daily sleep characteristics (total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset time, sleep quality), daily PTSD symptoms, and mindfulness. Exploratory outcomes include sleep quality, experiential avoidance, emotion regulation, self-compassion, depression, anxiety, and nightmares.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 35 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study tests whether a practice called Yoga Nidra — a guided deep relaxation technique done through audio recordings — can improve sleep and reduce trauma-related stress symptoms. Participants listen to recordings daily for 8 weeks from home. **You may be eligible if...** - You have experienced at least one very stressful or traumatic event that still affects you - You score 13 or higher on a trauma symptom checklist (PCL-5) - You score 15 or higher on a scale measuring insomnia (indicating moderate to severe sleep problems) - You are willing and able to listen to daily audio recordings (up to 35 minutes) for 8 weeks - You can track your sleep and symptoms for 10 weeks **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are currently in active psychological crisis - You have significant vision or hearing impairment that prevents participation - You are unwilling to monitor your symptoms consistently Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALYoga nidra (full)

The intervention consists of remotely delivered audio recordings (\~30 minute length) of iRest yoga nidra meditation instructions that participants will be asked to listen to daily for 8 weeks, for a total listening time of about 3.5 hours each week. The yoga nidra practices will be in the tradition of iRest. They will include the following sections: intention setting, articulating a heartfelt desire, inner resource, body sensing, breath sensing, emotion and cognition sensing and opposites, welcoming joy, witnessing awareness, and integration. Each week includes an additional brief (\~2-5 minute) introduction to one of the iRest yoga nidra sections. Participants will be asked to lie on a lightly cushioned surface when listening to the practices. Participants are informed that they may opt to listen to the recordings more often but are instructed to listen to the recordings at least once per day.

BEHAVIORALYoga nidra (brief)

The intervention will consist of remotely delivered audio recordings of yoga nidra meditation instructions. Participants will be asked to listen to one \~30-minute practice and six \~10-minute practices per week (total listening time of \~1.5 hours each week) for 8 weeks. The yoga nidra practices will be in the tradition of iRest. They will include the following sections: intention setting, articulating a heartfelt desire, inner resource, body sensing, breath sensing, emotion and cognition sensing and opposites, welcoming joy, witnessing awareness, and integration. Each week includes an additional brief (2-5 minute) introduction to one of the iRest yoga nidra sections. Participants will be asked to lie on a lightly cushioned surface when listening to the practices. Participants are informed that they may opt to listen to the recordings more than once a day but are instructed to listen to the 30-minute recording once per week and the 10-minute meditations the other 6 days of the week.