This mini-review (Steinmane & Fernate, 2025) systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus (2000–2024) for adult studies testing breathing exercises as interventions for sleep quality. The review screened hundreds of records (PM=39, SD=287, SC=100) and selected six key studies (clinical trials and trials of diaphragmatic/deep breathing, mindful breathing, respiratory muscle training, and combined techniques) that reported sleep-quality improvements across populations including people with insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, nursing staff, women receiving radiation therapy, chronic low back pain, and hospitalized patients. Mechanisms proposed include autonomic modulation (parasympathetic activation), stress/HPA-axis reduction, and improved respiratory efficiency. Authors call for standardized protocols, larger/longer randomized trials, and integration with other non-pharmacological therapies.
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10.3389/frsle.2025.1603713
25 June 2025
PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus; years 2000–2024
PubMed n=39; ScienceDirect n=287; Scopus n=100