Do sleep interventions improve sleep in MS? A systematic review and meta-analysis of activity monitor assessed outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep is common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Previous systematic reviews have evaluated intervention effectiveness to improve sleep in PwMS using questionnaires, but no review has comprehensively examined whether sleep interventions improve activity monitor measured sleep outcomes in PwMS.

METHODS

Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases to identify randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental and cohort studies published from inception to October 2025. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled intervention effects of sleep interventions on objective sleep outcomes.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in the review for narrative synthesis, with five eligible for quantitative meta-analysis. Six sleep parameters were assessed via activity monitors: total sleep time, sleep efficiency, total time in bed, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, and frequency of awakenings. Sleep interventions utilised included physical activity, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), melatonin, eszopiclone and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Only sleep efficiency improved following mindfulness interventions. The median length of actigraph wear time was 7 days (range 4 nights to 16 weeks). Study quality appraisal scores ranged from moderate to high, suggesting a low risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Activity monitors have been used to assess sleep intervention effectiveness in PwMS in studies assessing physical activity, mindfulness and CBT. Objective improvements in sleep were reported following mindfulness and only using one measure (sleep efficiency). However, the small number of included studies limits definitive conclusions. Future trials should consider a wider range of outcome measures and longer time horizons.