2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 16
Available Online: 24 June 2026
Author/s:
Jao, Trisha Marie D.*
De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (trisha_jao@dlsu.edu.ph)
Angeles, Daniel Julio D.
De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (daniel_angeles@dlsu.edu.ph)
De Vera, Jasmine Rose R.
De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (jasmine_devera@dlsu.edu.ph)
Arcemo, Micaella M.
De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (micaella_arcemo@dlsu.edu.ph)
Abstract:
This scoping review maps the demographic and methodological landscapes of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for Asian undergraduates. A systematic search of six electronic databases—PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, DOAJ, APA PsycNet, ScienceDirect and JSTOR—identified peer-reviewed and open-access studies published between 2015 and 2025. In accordance with the JBI framework and the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) screening guidelines, six studies (n = 6) spanning various RCT and pretest-posttest designs met the inclusion criteria. The evidence demonstrates that structured, multi-week digital protocols—specifically digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (dCBT-I) and the Sleep Ambient Music Intervention (SAMI)—show immediate effectiveness for undergraduates experiencing chronic sleep disruptions. In contrast, brief interventions like mindfulness practices are better reserved as an accessible strategy to optimize sleep quality for students who already maintain sufficient sleep duration. Moreover, pronounced geographic asymmetries favoring East Asia, a distinct preference for reactive care, and the exclusion of key academic adjustment stressors constrain the scalability of these interventions. While there is a trend toward experimental designs and home-based digital formats, the omission of granular data tracking leaves the long-term sustainability of these protocols speculative. In conclusion, the reviewed interventions offer university settings practical and scalable tools to improve student well-being. However, implementing these interventions must account for college students’ varied demographics (e.g., gender, academic year level, daily commutes, etc.) and incorporate extended follow-up windows, while actively aligning protocols with the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle.
Keywords: Asian undergraduate students, sleep health, sleep interventions, scoping review
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26866
Cite this article:
Jao, T. M. D., Angeles, D. J. D., De Vera, J. R. R., & Arcemo, M. M. (2026). A scoping review on non-pharmacological sleep interventions among Asian undergraduate students. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(16), 63-78. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26866
* Corresponding Author