Many adults without a diagnosed sleep disorder report poor sleep health, which is defined by dissatisfactory levels of sleep duration, sleep quality, or the timing of sleep. No previous review has summarized and described interventions targeting poor sleep health in this population. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the efficacy of behavioral and cognitive sleep interventions in adults with poor sleep health, who do not have a sleep disorder. Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cinahl) were searched with restrictions for age (18-64 y) and English language full-text, resulting in 18,009 records being screened and 592 full-texts being assessed. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, seven of which reported a measure of overall sleep health (Pittsburgh sleep quality index [PSQI]). Following appraisal for risk of bias, extracted data were meta-analyzed using random-effects models. Meta-analyses showed interventions had a medium effect on sleep quality (Hedge's g = -0.54, [95% confidence interval (CI)] -0.90 to -0.19, p < 0.01). Baseline sleep health was the only significant effect moderator (p = 0.01). The most frequently used intervention components were stress management and relaxation practice, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, and exercise. Interventions targeting cognitive and behavioral self-regulation improve sleep quality in adults without clinical sleep disorder.
Background
Sport is a subset of physical activity that can be particularly beneficial for short-and-long-term physical and mental health, and social outcomes in adults. This study presents the results of an updated systematic review of the mental health and social outcomes of community and elite-level sport participation for adults. The findings have informed the development of the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model for adults.
Methods
Nine electronic databases were searched, with studies published between 2012 and March 2020 screened for inclusion. Eligible qualitative and quantitative studies reported on the relationship between sport participation and mental health and/or social outcomes in adult populations. Risk of bias (ROB) was determined using the Quality Assessment Tool (quantitative studies) or Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (qualitative studies).
Results
The search strategy located 8528 articles, of which, 29 involving adults 18–84 years were included for analysis. Data was extracted for demographics, methodology, and study outcomes, and results presented according to study design. The evidence indicates that participation in sport (community and elite) is related to better mental health, including improved psychological well-being (for example, higher self-esteem and life satisfaction) and lower psychological ill-being (for example, reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress), and improved social outcomes (for example, improved self-control, pro-social behavior, interpersonal communication, and fostering a sense of belonging). Overall, adults participating in team sport had more favorable health outcomes than those participating in individual sport, and those participating in sports more often generally report the greatest benefits; however, some evidence suggests that adults in elite sport may experience higher levels of psychological distress. Low ROB was observed for qualitative studies, but quantitative studies demonstrated inconsistencies in methodological quality.
Conclusions
The findings of this review confirm that participation in sport of any form (team or individual) is beneficial for improving mental health and social outcomes amongst adults. Team sports, however, may provide more potent and additional benefits for mental and social outcomes across adulthood. This review also provides preliminary evidence for the Mental Health through Sport model, though further experimental and longitudinal evidence is needed to establish the mechanisms responsible for sports effect on mental health and moderators of intervention effects. Additional qualitative work is also required to gain a better understanding of the relationship between specific elements of the sporting environment and mental health and social outcomes in adult participants.
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