A pilot study of body–mind–spirit group therapy on sleep and quality of life in individuals with visual impairment

Purpose: This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effects of body–mind–spirit (BMS) group therapy—integrating Eastern gratitude philosophies with Western psychotherapy—on sleep and quality of life (QoL) among adults with visual impairment (VI). Methods: A quasi-experimental study recruited 30 adults with VI (mean age 61.5 ± 11.4 years, range 26–78; 53.3% female). The experimental group received 10 weekly 130-min BMS sessions; the control group received usual care. QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF, and sleep was measured through accelerometry (XA-5) and self-reports. Results: Compared with the comparison group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in overall QoL (p = 0.01, d = 0.58), with the most robust effect observed in physical health (d = 0.71). While objective sleep metrics remained statistically unchanged, the experimental group reported moderate improvements in sleep latency (d = −0.32; 23% reduction) and increased satisfaction. Data stability was influenced by a perceived lack of security in wearable devices. Notably, longer sleep duration correlated with better psychological well-being (p = 0.01), while lower gains among younger participants were linked to significantly shorter baseline sleep duration associated with their occupations. Conclusion: BMS therapy is feasible and may enhance QoL and subjective sleep through improved emotional regulation. Although “circadian hardwiring” may limit physiological reset, BMS offers a psychological buffer against sleep dissatisfaction. Future trials should integrate circadian-focused strategies and address cultural conservatism regarding sensitive QoL dimensions. Trial registration: IRB of Taipei City Hospital (TCHIRB-11107010); ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07105761); Registration date: 13 August 2025.