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Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Psychological Interventions to Improve Sleep in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized
Ali Kodsi1, Ben Bullock1, Gerard A Kennedy2,3,4
1Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
Introduction:
The effects of impaired sleep on the wellbeing of young adults are profound, and the adverse outcomes for mental health are well documented in the research literature.
Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize the available evidence from randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) investigating psychological interventions aimed at improving sleep and related secondary outcomes such as anxiety and depression in healthy young adults.
Method:
Nine electronic databases (Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], PubMed, Scopus, PsycNET, CINHAL, INFORMIT, Web of Science [Science and Social Citation Index], OpenSigle and EMBASE) were searched, returning 54 full-text papers for assessment, with 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis.
Results:
A random effects meta-analysis showed that the combined effect of all interventions was moderate (ES = -0.53, 95% CIs [- 0.69, -0.36], p < .01), reflecting the efficacy of psychological interventions at improving sleep scores at post-intervention. Subgroup analyses of individual interventions showed that cognitive-behavioral interventions improved sleep (ES = -0.67, 95% CIs [-0.77, -0.57], p < .01) and secondary outcomes for anxiety (ES = -0.35, 95% CIs [-0.56, -0.15], p < .01) and depression (ES = -0.41, 95% CIs [-0.70, -0.13], p < .01) at post-intervention.
Conclusion:
The results of the current review support the implementation of cognitive and behavioral interventions for sleep among young adults experiencing both sleep and comorbid mental health problems.
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