CompletedNot Applicable

Yoga Nidra for Insomnia and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

United Kingdom60 participantsStarted 2025-03-03

Plain-language 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.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 35 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Endorses experiencing at least one lifetime very stressful or traumatic event that still causes distress * 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 * Reliable daily access to the internet * Willing to refrain from ingesting caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs the day of the sleep studies Exclusion Criteria: * History of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder * Currently receiving or seeking treatment for alcoholism or a substance abuse disorder * Currently taking part in another study intended to treat poor sleep or posttraumatic stress symptoms * Current endorsement of suicidality (score of 2 or higher on Item 9 of the BDI-II) * Self-harmed or attempted suicide within the past 6 months * Currently receiving treatment for any mental health disorder or sleep disorder * Current diagnosis of any sleep disorder, excluding insomnia or nightmare disorder * Currently taking benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists, orexin agonists or antagonists, antiseizure medication, or any medicati…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Feasibility: Participant Retention

Timeframe: From baseline to follow-up (Weeks 1-10, Week 10, Week 18)

Feasibility: Adherence to Yoga Nidra Protocol

Timeframe: Throughout treatment (Week 2 to 10)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06888336

SponsorUniversity College, London

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-17

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) trials