Impact of Nonpharmacologic Interventions Targeting Sleep Disturbances or Disorders in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials

Abstract

Objective. Patients with inflammatory arthritis have a high risk of sleep disturbances and disorders. The objective was to evaluate the evidence of nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sleep disturbances or disorders in patients with inflammatory arthritis.Methods. A systematic search was undertaken from inception to September 8, 2020. We included randomized trials concerning nonpharmacologic interventions applied in adults with inflammatory arthritis and concomitant sleep disturbances or disorders. The primary outcome was the sleep domain, while secondary outcomes were core outcome domains for inflammatory arthritis trials and harms. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was applied, and the overall quality of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Effect sizes for continuous outcomes were based on the standardized mean difference, combined using randomeffects meta-analysis.Results. Six trials (308 patients) were included in the quantitative synthesis; 3 of these reported improvement in sleep in favor of the nonpharmacologic interventions. The meta-analysis of the sleep domains indicated a large clinical effect of -0.80 (95% confidence interval -1.33, -0.28) in favor of nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sleep disturbances or disorders. The estimate was rated down twice for risk of bias and unexplained inconsistency; this risk was assessed as corresponding to low-quality evidence. None of the secondary core outcomes used in contemporary inflammatory arthritis trials indicated a clinical benefit in favor of nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sleep.Conclusion. Nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sleep disturbances/disorders in patients with inflammatory arthritis indicated a promising effect on sleep outcomes, but not yet with convincing evidence.