Sleep hygiene in Iranian traditional medicine: A narrative review

This study conducted a narrative review of Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) texts to identify recommendations related to sleep hygiene. The review analyzed the available literature and compared ITM practices to contemporary scientific understanding. Findings indicate a partial alignment between traditional and modern medical perspectives, with recommendations for a comfortable sleep environment, consistent sleep schedules, and adequate sleep duration. However, several ITM concepts, including the four humors, the effects of clothing on health, specific sleep positions, and the use of opium for insomnia, lack scientific evidence. Statistically, the present study revealed that only 31.4 % of the ITM sleep hygiene recommendations aligned with contemporary scientific findings. Conversely, 27.5 % of these recommendations directly contradicted current scientific research. The remaining 41.1 % required further investigation, as no conclusive scientific evidence was found to support or refute them. These findings suggest a need for additional clinical trials to definitively assess the scientific validity of these traditional practices.