September 2024
Meru Health improves overall sleep quality and insomnia
As part of our commitment to research and transparency, we publish peer-reviewed scientific studies in academic journals, white papers, and blog posts regarding the clinical or cost-saving outcomes of our treatments and interventions. This article explores how Meru Health’s 12-week program improves overall sleep quality and helps treat insomnia.
Sleep problems are widespread among individuals facing mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety. Research consistently shows that mental health issues and sleep disorders are closely linked, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep exacerbates mental health symptoms and vice versa.
According to Harvard Health Online, 50 to 80% of patients in psychiatric practices experience chronic sleep problems, compared to just 10 to 18% of adults in the general U.S. population. Addressing sleep issues alongside mental health can significantly enhance overall well-being and treatment outcomes, making it crucial to include sleep quality as a core component of any comprehensive mental health intervention.
Meru Health vs control group: Significant reductions in insomnia symptoms
In January 2024, Meru Health published a randomized controlled clinical trial, the gold standard of clinical research, with researchers from Stanford University. The study showed a significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to a waitlist control.
However, the study also looked at people’s sleep quality and self-reported insomnia index, measured by the ISI (insomnia severity index) scale, which indicates the severity of insomnia symptoms a person is experiencing.
The findings were significantly positive, showing a notable decrease in insomnia symptoms for people who went through the Meru Health program vs the control group. On average, those who used Meru Health reduced their ISI score from roughly 14 to 10.
In practical terms, this means that people went from having nearly clinical levels of insomnia to having levels below the threshold for clinical diagnosis (see the chart below).
A holistic approach to mental health and sleep: Why it matters
Overall, the study demonstrated that Meru Health’s 12-week program significantly reduced insomnia symptoms and improved overall sleep quality for participants struggling with sleep issues.
These findings highlight the interconnected nature of mental health and sleep, reinforcing the need for a holistic approach to treatment. Addressing both mental health challenges and sleep disturbances can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable improvements in well-being.
By integrating evidence-based strategies that equally target mental health and sleep, Meru Health offers a valuable tool for improving quality of life, highlighting the critical role of sleep in mental health recovery and resilience.
