The effects of exercise interventions on sleep quality in patients with emotion-related insomnia (ERI)：A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis consequently endeavors to methodically evaluate the impact of exercise interventions on sleep quality measures in populations affected by ERI.The study intends to develop an evidence-based prioritization framework for exercise types, offering support for the customization of exercise prescriptions in clinical practice.

Methods: This study was evaluated by literature search in five databases, and analyses were subsequently conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 18.0. Furthermore, a meta-regression analysis was employed to examine the potential moderating effects of exercise intervention characteristics.

Results: Pairwise meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise significantly improved subjective sleep quality [SMD = -0.83, (95 % CI = -1.17, -0.49),P < 0.001].Network meta-analysis revealed that several exercise types are potentially effective interventions for enhancing subjective sleep quality: aerobic exercise (AE) (SMD = -0.66, 95 % CI: -1.19, -0.14, p < 0.05), combined exercise (CE) (SMD = -1.17, 95 % CI: -2.07, -0.26, p < 0.05), and Body and mind exercise (BM) (SMD = -0.71, 95 % CI: -1.35, -0.07, p < 0.05). Among these, CE [SMD = -1.17, 95 % CI: -2.07, -0.26, p < 0.05; SUCRA = 77.9 %] was identified as the most likely modality for improving subjective sleep quality.Meta-regression analysis indicated that exercise cycles (β = -0.470, p < 0.05) and exercise frequency (β = -0.940, p < 0.05) may be significant moderators influencing the effect of exercise on sleep onset latency (SOL).

Conclusion: Exercise was effective in improving subjective sleep quality.CE, AE, and BM may represent preferential modalities for enhancing subjective sleep quality, with CE potentially constituting the most effective intervention.exercise frequency and exercise cycles are identified as potential significant moderators influencing the improvement of SOL.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Body and mind exercise; Emotional disorders; Exercise; Sleep quality.