Yoga Nidra for Insomnia and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Launched by UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON · Mar 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a specific type of meditation called Yoga Nidra on people who are experiencing insomnia and symptoms related to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The researchers want to see if two different versions of this meditation, one shorter and one longer, can help improve sleep and reduce PTSD symptoms in individuals who have faced significant stress or trauma. Participants will be compared to a group that does not receive the meditation treatment, and their sleep and PTSD symptoms will be monitored through daily diaries and sleep studies at home.

To be eligible for the study, participants should be between the ages of 18 and 35, have experienced a distressing traumatic event, and have moderate to severe insomnia. They also need to be comfortable listening to online meditation recordings for about 35 minutes each day for eight weeks and be willing to track their sleep and PTSD symptoms for a total of ten weeks. The trial is currently recruiting, so those interested should ensure they have reliable internet access and are willing to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs on the days of the sleep studies. This trial is important as it may provide insights into new ways to support individuals struggling with sleep issues and PTSD.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Endorses experiencing at least one lifetime very stressful or traumatic event that still distresses them
• • Score of 13 or higher on the 8-item PCL-5
• • Scoring 15 or higher on the Insomnia Severity Index, indicating the presence of moderate to severe insomnia
• • Being able and willing to listen to online yoga nidra audio recordings that may each be up to 35 minutes long daily for 8 weeks
• • Being willing to monitor sleep and PTSD symptoms for 10 weeks
• • Normal or corrected to normal hearing and vision
• • Fluent in English
• • Reliable daily access to the internet Between the ages of 18 and 35
• • Between the ages of 18 and 35
• • Reliable daily access to the internet
• • Willing to refrain from ingesting caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs the day of the sleep studies
• • Currently receiving or seeking treatment for alcoholism or a substance abuse disorder
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder
• • Current endorsement of suicidality (score of 2 or higher on Item 9 of the BDI-II)
• • Currently receiving psychological treatment for any mental health disorder
• • Current diagnosis of any sleep disorder, excluding insomnia or nightmare disorder
• • Currently taking benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists, orexin agonists or antagonists, antiseizure medication, any medications for sleep
• • Score of 5 or higher on STOP-BANG Questionnaire (indicating likelihood of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea)
• • Previous adverse experience with meditation
• • Current regular meditative practice (meditating once or more per month)