Probiotic Effects on Sleep Outcomes: Meta-Analysis of 39 Randomized Trials

39 randomized controlled trials with 4094 participants were synthesized to evaluate probiotic supplementation effects on sleep. The analysis, updated through October 2025, includes outcomes like Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, insomnia severity, and objective sleep measures. The document, authored by Keying Zhu, presents meta-analysis results with effect sizes and certainty-of-evidence grading.

Use Cases

• Evaluate the efficacy of probiotic interventions for sleep quality based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global scores
• Analyze domain-specific sleep improvements based on PSQI subdomains like daytime dysfunction and sleep time
• Assess the impact on objective sleep parameters based on metrics like total sleep time and awake time during sleep period
• Review the consistency and clinical significance of probiotic effects based on synthesized evidence from 39 trials

Strengths

• Includes 39 randomized controlled trials with 4094 participants, providing a substantial evidence base
• Uses harmonized change-score methodology and contemporary certainty-of-evidence grading for systematic synthesis
• Analyzes both subjective (PSQI, insomnia severity) and objective sleep outcomes

Limitations

• The underlying data tables and column definitions are not provided in the uploaded document
• Effect sizes are described as modest and the certainty of evidence is generally graded as low or very low
• The clinical meaningfulness of the findings is noted as uncertain

Provenance

Source

Systematic review and meta-analysis compiled from searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Collection Method

Random-effects meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Time Range

Literature search covered March 31, 2022 to October 1, 2025.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-19 05:44:04; includes literature search up to October 1, 2025.