Mantram Repetition Decreases Insomnia Among Homeless Women: A Pilot Study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-11-2015

Journal Title

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services

Volume Number

53

Issue Number

6

First Page

44

Last Page

49

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20150526-03

Disciplines

Nursing

Abstract

The current pre-/posttest pilot study recruited homeless women from “safe” car parks and transitional housing to evaluate the use of mantram in regard to insomnia. At baseline, study participants completed measures of cognitive function, depression, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). In 40 minutes, women were taught three skills of the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) in the natural environment: (a) silently repeating a mantram several times, several times per day; (b) repeating the mantram slowly every night before sleep; and (c) focusing full attention on the mantram during repetitions. One week later, participants completed a second ISI. Of the 29 women recruited, 83% completed 1-week follow up. After 1 week, 88% were using their mantram daily and one half were using it prior to sleep. Insomnia severity significantly decreased (p = 0.03), with a mean difference of 2.36 (SD = 4.75). The practice of MRP, an intervention that is portable and easy to teach, shows significant promise in decreasing insomnia in this unique population.

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