Physical activity for insomnia: a scoping review within the Nursing Science Precision Health model
Xiaotu Zhang1, Zihan Qu1, Xuefeng Sun1
1School of Nursing, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.
Frontiers in Public Health
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Physical activity effectively treats insomnia, but current approaches lack personalization. Future research should standardize measures and use biomarkers to tailor exercise interventions for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Science
- Precision Health
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is a proven non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia.
- Current clinical applications of PA for insomnia are not personalized.
- The Nursing Science Precision Health (NSPH) model offers a framework for tailored interventions based on individual profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and synthesize evidence on PA interventions for insomnia within the NSPH model.
- To identify gaps hindering precision-based insomnia care through PA.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review adhering to JBI guidance and PRISMA-ScR standards.
- Searched eight databases for randomized controlled trials on PA and insomnia from the past decade.
- Mapped evidence to the four NSPH domains and performed narrative synthesis.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two studies were included, revealing three key gaps within the NSPH domains.
- Inconsistent symptom assessment tools and limited phenotypic characterization (e.g., lifestyle factors) were identified.
- PA improved sleep outcomes, but interventions were rarely tailored, and biomarker integration was inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- PA interventions show promise for insomnia but require personalization.
- Future research must standardize outcome measures and match PA to insomnia phenotypes.
- Integrating biomarkers is crucial for refining and personalizing PA interventions for improved patient outcomes.
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