Non-pharmacological Interventions for Improving Sleep Quality During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality during pregnancy.

Data sources A search was made in the NCBI/PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, BVS, and Web of Science databases. There were no limitations regarding language, sample size, and type of non-pharmacological intervention. We have included prospective clinical trials between July 2014 and July 2019.

Selection of studies This study was registered in the Prospective International Registration of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database was performed. Publication bias was also assessed with funnel plots. the primary outcome was the total score in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after intervention. Risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used for assessing methodological quality. From the 28 retrieved studies, we have selected 8 for qualitative analysis and 6 for meta-analysis.

Data collection Two independent reviewers performed the study selection. In the case of disagreement, a third senior reviewer was consulted. The study was initially assessed based on the title, followed by abstract. Lastly, the full text was assessed to be included.

Data Synthesis A significant improvement on the sleep quality (PSQI score) was observed when all interventions were grouped (MD = -3.03, 95%CI -4.15 to -1.92, n = 623, i² = 84%, p < 0.001). Analysis by subgroup (music listening: MD = -1.96, 95% CI -3.27 to -0.65, n = 207, i² = 67%, p = 0.003 and other interventions: MD = -3.66, 95% CI -4.93 to -2.40, n = 416, i2 = 80%, p < 0.001) showed an improvement, with high heterogeneity. Risk of bias has shown performance and detection bias for almost studies, and GRADE evidence was very low for all analyzed variables.

Conclusion Non-pharmacological interventions—listening to music, physical exercise, relaxation exercises, lettuce seed, sleep hygiene, and acupressure—are effective for improving sleep quality during pregnancy.

Resumo

Objetivo Investigar o efeito de intervenções não-farmacológicas para melhorar a qualidade do sono durante a gravidez.

Fontes dos dados Uma busca foi feita nas bases de dados NBCI/PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, BVS, e Web of Science. Não houve limitações quanto ao idioma, tamanho da amostra e tipo de intervenção não-farmacológica. Incluímos estudos clínicos prospectivos entre julho de 2014 e julho de 2019.

Seleção dos estudos Foi realizado um registro no banco de dados Prospective International Registration of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). O viés de publicação foi avaliado com gráficos de funil. O desfecho primário foi a pontuação total do Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) antes e depois da intervenção. O risco de viés e os critérios Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) foram usados para avaliar a qualidade metodológica. Dos 28 estudos encontrados, selecionamos 8 para análise qualitativa e 6 para a metanálise.

Coleta de dados Dois revisores independentes realizaram a seleção dos estudos. Em caso de discordância, um terceiro revisor foi consultado. Inicialmente o estudo foi avaliado com base no título e resumo. Para a inclusão, foi avaliado o texto completo.

Síntese dos dados Uma melhora significativa na qualidade do sono (PSQI score) foi observada quando todas as intervenções foram agrupadas (MD = -3.03, 95% CI -4.15 a -1.92, n = 623, i² = 84%, p < 0.001). A análise por subgrupo (escutar música: MD = -1.96, 95% CI -3.27 a -0.65, n = 207, i² = 67%, p = 0.003 e outras intervenções: MD = -3.66, 95% CI -4.93 a -2.40, n = 416, i2 = 80%, p < 0.001) também mostrou uma melhora da qualidade do sono, porém com alta heterogeneidade. A análise do risco de viés mostrou que quase todos os estudos avaliados apresentaram viés de desempenho e detecção, e o nível de evidência GRADE foi muito baixo para todas as variáveis analisadas.

Conclusão Intervenções não-farmacológicas - ouvir música, exercícios físicos, exercícios de relaxamento, sementes de alface, higiene do sono e acupressão - são eficazes para melhorar a qualidade do sono durante a gravidez.

Keywords

sleep quality - non-pharmacological interventions - pregnant women - systematic review - meta-analysis

Palavras-chave

qualidade do sono - intervenções não-farmacológicas - gestantes - revisão sistemática - metanálise

Publication History

Received: 30 November 2021

Accepted: 17 February 2022

Article published online:
23 May 2022

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