LifestyleExercise

Exercise affects sleep outcomes in human trials

Transcranial electric stimulation in chronic pain: Effects on quality of life, physical function, activity and clinical status.. Published in Journal of neuropsychology (2026). PMID: 42490298.

Last updated: Jul 26, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Comparative effectiveness of single vs. combined exercise modalities on sleep disorders in Chinese adolescents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

meta

Li X, Gao W, Li Z, Zhu J, Wang Y, Li M · Frontiers in public health (2026)

Participants: 1375
Duration: 8 weeks
Intervention: Single vs. combined exercise modalities (aerobic, mind-body, resistance, and their combinations)
Outcome: Sleep disorders (measured via validated sleep scales, e.g., PSQI)
Effect Size: MD = 4.05, 95% CI (2.09, 6.01) for optimal regimen (40-60 min, ≥5 times/week, <8 weeks); MD = 2.34, 95% CI (0.32, 4.37) for <8 weeks duration
Population: Chinese adolescents with sleep disorders

Result: A network meta-analysis of 14 RCTs with 1,375 participants found that the combination of aerobic and mind-body exercise (AE+ME) had the highest probability (SUCRA=87.1%) of being most effective for improving sleep disorders in Chinese adolescents. Mind-body exercise alone (ME) also showed strong effectiveness (SUCRA=71.3%). The optimal regimen was 40-60 min sessions, ≥5 times per week, for less than 8 weeks, with moderate certainty evidence.

PubMed: 42494916DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1865603

Study 2. Effects of post-exercise hot and cold-water immersion on performance recovery and physiological markers in athletes: a systematic review.

rct

Bustos Carvajal J, P&#xe9;rez Hurtado E, Bustos Carvajal M, Celis Villamizar DM, Arias Coronel F · Frontiers in sports and active living (2026)

Participants: 8
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Post-exercise hot water immersion (HWI) vs. cold water immersion (CWI) vs. control
Outcome: Sleep quality, acute anaerobic power, DOMS, fatigue, biochemical markers (CK, cytokines, HSP-72, testosterone, cortisol)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Athletes or physically active individuals

Result: Hot water immersion (HWI) significantly improved sleep quality in athletes compared to control conditions, while cold water immersion (CWI) did not show consistent benefits for sleep. The review included eight studies and found HWI also enhanced acute anaerobic power, whereas CWI impaired immediate power output.

PubMed: 42491492DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1794029

Study 3. Transcranial electric stimulation in chronic pain: Effects on quality of life, physical function, activity and clinical status.

rct

Gil-Ugidos A, L&#xf3;pez-Corch&#xf3;n M, &#x3a4;siarleston G, Segura-Jim&#xe9;nez V, Carrillo-de-la-Pe&#xf1;a MT · Journal of neuropsychology (2026)

Participants: 120
Duration: 15 sessions (exact duration in weeks not specified in abstract)
Intervention: 15 sessions of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) or transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), compared to sham stimulation
Outcome: Quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, sleep quality, perceived physical fitness, objective physical function tests, and accelerometry-measured physical activity
Effect Size: MD=-7.7 for M1-tDCS; MD=-7.8 for DLPFC-tACS (both p<.001 vs sham)
Population: 120 individuals with chronic pain (97 females, mean age 49.5 ± 8.7 years)

Result: In a double-blind RCT with 120 chronic pain participants, both active tES modalities (M1-tDCS and DLPFC-tACS) significantly improved quality of life compared to sham, with mean differences of -7.7 and -7.8 respectively (p<.001). However, no differential effects were found for symptom-specific domains like mood, fatigue, or sleep, and all groups showed increased physical activity and physical function improvements.

PubMed: 42490298DOI: 10.1111/jnp.70063

Study 4. Acute caffeine supplementation in rugby players: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical performance, sport-specific performance, perceptual responses, and physiological markers.

meta

Li J, Zhou D, Wang T, Liu Z, Zeng Z, Yue C, Huang C, Chen W, Shu J, Meng F · Frontiers in nutrition (2026)

Participants: 13
Duration: Acute (single dose before testing)
Intervention: Acute caffeine supplementation (various doses and forms) compared to placebo
Outcome: Sprint performance, passing accuracy, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), jumping performance, strength performance, metabolic markers, hormonal markers
Effect Size: Sprint: Hedges' g = -0.41; RPE: Hedges' g = -0.40; Passing accuracy: Hedges' g = 1.65
Population: Rugby players (various codes and competitive levels)

Result: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized placebo-controlled trials found that acute caffeine supplementation in rugby players was associated with small improvements in sprint performance (Hedges' g = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.08) and reduced rating of perceived exertion (Hedges' g = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.06). A large positive effect was observed for passing accuracy (Hedges' g = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.69 to 2.61), though with high heterogeneity. No significant effects were found for jumping, strength, or metabolic markers.

PubMed: 42490897DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1884686

Mechanism Graph

physical activity
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Biological pathway
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Sleep regulation
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Outcome improvement

Limitations

  • ⚠Sample size may be limited
  • ⚠Single study — more research needed
  • ⚠Population specificity may limit generalizability

Frequently Asked Questions

Does physical activity improve sleep?▼

Based on this RCT study published in Journal of neuropsychology, there is evidence suggesting effects on sleep outcomes. See the full study for details.

What is the recommended dose?▼

Dose information varies by study. Refer to the original publication for specific dosing details.

Is this evidence reliable?▼

This is a RCT study. RCTs are considered high-quality evidence.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Li X, Gao W, Li Z, Zhu J, Wang Y, Li M. "Comparative effectiveness of single vs. combined exercise modalities on sleep disorders in Chinese adolescents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.." Frontiers in public health, 2026. PMID: 42494916 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1865603
  2. 2.Bustos Carvajal J, P&#xe9;rez Hurtado E, Bustos Carvajal M, Celis Villamizar DM, Arias Coronel F. "Effects of post-exercise hot and cold-water immersion on performance recovery and physiological markers in athletes: a systematic review.." Frontiers in sports and active living, 2026. PMID: 42491492 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1794029
  3. 3.Gil-Ugidos A, L&#xf3;pez-Corch&#xf3;n M, &#x3a4;siarleston G, Segura-Jim&#xe9;nez V, Carrillo-de-la-Pe&#xf1;a MT. "Transcranial electric stimulation in chronic pain: Effects on quality of life, physical function, activity and clinical status.." Journal of neuropsychology, 2026. PMID: 42490298 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.70063
  4. 4.Li J, Zhou D, Wang T, Liu Z, Zeng Z, Yue C, Huang C, Chen W, Shu J, Meng F. "Acute caffeine supplementation in rugby players: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical performance, sport-specific performance, perceptual responses, and physiological markers.." Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. PMID: 42490897 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1884686
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.