All Studies · Sleep & Insomnia · Khalsa (2021)

Khalsa (2021)

Moderate · RCT · Clinical-Grade RCT · n = 44
Quality Index (Adjusted QI) 0.778
0 Low < 0.56 Moderate 0.56–0.77 High ≥ 0.78 1
Study Details
ConditionChronic insomnia + anxiety
Clinical domainSleep & Insomnia
PopulationChronic insomnia and anxiety
Sample sizen = 44
Country / SettingUSA - sleep medicine research center
Protocol clusterKY Evening Practice (45-min)
Duration8 weeks; initial 60-min instruction + weekly check-ins; daily home practice (not confirmed as 45 min)
Control typeActive Control
ComparatorActive control (see methods)
Outcomes & Effect Sizes
Primary outcomeSleep quality/Insomnia
Scales usedPSQI; ISI; GAD-7; actigraphy; sleep efficiency
Key resultInsomnia decreased large; anxiety decreased substantial; sleep efficiency improved
Effect sized = 0.92 (insomnia PSQI); large effect
ES value0.92 (d)
Retention91% (40/44)
SafetyNo adverse events; improved sleep safety
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Methodological Summary

Randomized; KK + group; small sample; objective + subjective measures

KY Protocol Components

Kundalini Yoga for Sleep-Onset Insomnia: RCT DESIGN: RCT; KY (n=20) vs. Sleep Hygiene (n=20); 8-week intervention. POPULATION: Adults aged 25-59 with primary sleep-onset insomnia ≥6 months. DELIVERY: Initial 60-minute instruction session + weekly check-ins. PRACTICE: Daily home-based practice. PROTOCOL: Kundalini yoga techniques for insomnia (building on Khalsa 2004 pilot). NOTE: Specific technique names/durations not detailed in this publication beyond "yoga intervention." The 2004 pilot study used a sequence of yoga exercises practiced before bed. RESULTS: Yoga produced medium-to-large between-group effect sizes vs. sleep hygiene: • Increased TST (d=0.95, p=.002) • Increased sleep efficiency (d=1.36, p<.001) • Decreased SOL (d=-1.16, p<.001) • ≥80% yoga remission rate

Quality Item Scores — 1 fail · 2 partial · 3 pass · ★ critical
★A1
3
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3
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B3
3
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2
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B6
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★C1
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1
C3
1
JP1
3
Critical fails0
Raw QI0.778
SAF1
Adjusted QI0.778
Final ratingModerate