Impact of AUM Kara Meditation on Sleep Disturbances Among Medical Students: A Pre-Post Study

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances are prevalent among medical students due to academic stress, irregular schedules, and high cognitive demands. Chronic sleep deprivation not only impairs cognitive function but also disrupts emotional regulation and autonomic stability, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and reduced academic performance. AUM Kara meditation, a well-established yogic practice, has been shown to regulate autonomic function by enhancing parasympathetic activity and reducing sympathetic overdrive. This study evaluates its effectiveness as a non-pharmacological intervention for improving sleep quality. Materials and Methods: This pre-post interventional study included 247 medical students aged 17-23 years with self-reported sleep disturbances. Over 10 days, participants practiced a nightly 30-minute AUM Kara meditation session before sleep. Intervention effects were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and validated sleep questionnaires assessing sleep quality, sleep latency, and night-time awakenings. Results: AUM Kara meditation produced a highly significant improvement in sleep quality. Pre-intervention ISI scores, initially elevated and indicative of substantial sleep disturbance, showed a marked reduction following the 10-day practice (t = 30.74, p = 4.504 × 10⁻⁸²). Subjective sleep questionnaires further confirmed decreased sleep latency and nocturnal awakenings, along with improved sleep efficiency and restorative sleep. Conclusion: AUM Kara meditation significantly improved sleep in medical students, enhancing subjective sleep, supporting its use as a non-pharmacological intervention, warranting further research.