Sleep-treatment evidence remains inconclusive in cognitive impairment
A review of sleep interventions in mild cognitive impairment and dementia found insufficient evidence to guide treatment decisions. Bright light and melatonin results were inconclusive, while other approaches needed further confirmation.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across medication and nondrug approaches, the review found too little reliable evidence to guide treatment of sleep disturbance in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Some interventions showed promise, but the authors considered further evidence necessary. This review does not establish that improving sleep prevents cognitive decline, nor does it identify a clearly supported treatment.
The abstract gives no trial-by-trial effect estimates or follow-up durations. Large differences in methods and sleep outcomes limited the authors' ability to combine the evidence.
Frequently studied approaches remained uncertain
Bright light therapy was the most frequently examined nondrug approach, and melatonin the most frequently examined medication. Their results remained inconclusive; being studied often did not produce a clear answer about effectiveness.
Different ways of measuring sleep
The trials reported 287 distinct sleep outcomes and used personal reports, objective measurements or both. The authors called for a shared set of outcomes so future studies would produce evidence that is easier to compare.
The original publication
Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Improve Sleep in People with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Crowley P, O'Donovan MR, Leahy P et al.
Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40566383
- Record checked
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