Back Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Back Resources for Hope and Health
Resources for Hope and Health
Back Autoimmune Research & News
Autoimmune Research & News
Back Who We Are & How We Help
Who We Are & How We Help
an icon of a microscope, indicating research and science
Research Grants
& Projects

Sleep Troubles Are Common in Long COVID, but Treatments Still Lacking

A new review in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine highlights that sleep disturbances are widespread in people with long COVID, but we still don’t have clear, evidence-backed treatments to address them. Researchers analyzed 14 clinical trials assessing different interventions for long COVID-related sleep problems. While some studies showed mild to moderate improvements in sleep quality, the overall evidence was rated as low to moderate in quality, and only two studies met the standards for inclusion in a formal meta-analysis.

Both pharmacological and non-drug therapies were explored, but non-drug options like cognitive behavioral strategies appeared more promising. Given that sleep dysfunction is a major symptom for many with long COVID — especially those with autoimmune or neurological overlap — these findings underscore the urgent need for better research. Future large-scale, well-designed trials will be critical to finding safe and effective solutions for improving sleep, recovery, and quality of life in this growing patient population.

While sleep disturbances are common in long COVID, they’re also a major and often overlooked symptom in many autoimmune diseases. Immune-related brain changes can disrupt sleep-wake cycles, and for some, this becomes one of the most debilitating parts of living with chronic illness.

Several autoimmune conditions are known to cause or worsen insomnia, non-restorative sleep, or frequent nighttime awakenings:

Autoimmune DiseaseHow It Affects Sleep
Systemic Lupus ErythematosusInflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms interfere with sleep quality
Multiple SclerosisBrain lesions can affect sleep regulation; often co-occurs with restless legs
Hashimoto’s ThyroiditisThyroid hormone imbalances may cause insomnia or sleep disruptions
FibromyalgiaCharacterized by non-restorative sleep and disordered sleep architecture
ME/CFSDiagnosed in part by unrefreshing sleep and post-exertional malaise

Sleep dysfunction doesn’t just impact rest—it can worsen fatigue, pain sensitivity, and mental health, compounding disease burden. That’s why understanding and addressing sleep disturbances is crucial not only in long COVID, but across the autoimmune spectrum.

Citation

Yi, G. D., Ching, L. W., & Zhong, L. L. D. (2025). Effect of interventions for the management of sleep disturbances in patients with long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 10.5664/jcsm.11782. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.11782