Behavioral therapy
Online mindfulness reduced insomnia in pregnancy in an RCT
At a glance
| Study type | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Journal | PLOS ONE |
| Sample | n = 59 |
| Effect size | PSQI 7.6→5.4; partial eta-squared=0.157 |
| Population | Pregnant |
| Dose / protocol | 6-week self-directed online program, ~20 min/week modules |
Background
A 2025 randomized clinical trial of online mindfulness for insomnia in pregnancy (PLOS ONE). Pregnant participants randomized to an online mindfulness intervention showed reduced insomnia severity compared to control.
How does mindfulness compare to CBT-I for insomnia?
Head-to-head trials in non-pregnant cohorts generally favor CBT-I on the primary insomnia endpoint, with mindfulness showing comparable secondary benefits on rumination and pre-sleep cognitive arousal. The Wi 2025 trial extends mindfulness specifically into pregnancy, where a comparator with low burden and no pharmacology is valuable.
What did the intervention actually look like?
An online, prenatal-specific mindfulness program — an extension of the OPTIMISM protocol — delivered remotely. Participants were guided through mindfulness practices oriented toward sleep and rumination. The control condition received standard care.
Who is this best for?
Pregnant patients whose insomnia is driven primarily by rumination and pre-sleep cognitive arousal — the experience of lying in bed mentally rehearsing the next day. People whose insomnia is driven primarily by physical discomfort, frequent nocturia, or partner snoring will likely get more from environmental and CBT-I interventions.
Is there a safety concern with mindfulness in pregnancy?
No — mindfulness practices are non-pharmacologic and have no known direct fetal effects. They can occasionally surface trauma-related distress; people with active PTSD or severe anxiety disorders should pursue mindfulness with clinical guidance.
How does Solas apply this?
When Solas detects that your insomnia profile leans toward pre-sleep cognitive arousal — long subjective onset, low movement during the wake-period — the recommendation may be a short pre-bed mindfulness practice, with this trial cited as the basis.
Source
Wi D, Lee RY, Kantrowitz-Gordon I
(2025).
Efficacy of online mindfulness for the treatment of insomnia in pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322931
Read the original paper →
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