JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

HIV-related research has increasingly focused on addressing long-term comorbidities affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for people with HIV (PWH). Sleep-related conditions, such as insomnia, are highly prevalent among PWH and are associated with a variety of health challenges including immune dysregulation, increased mental health burden, and reduced antiretroviral therapy adherence. Although there are several evidence based pharmacological (e.g., hypnotics) and non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) to treat insomnia, few have been specifically tested among PWH.

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to characterize the current state of the field regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for treating insomnia and poor sleep quality among adults (18+ years) with HIV.

Methods:

Eligible studies are those that: (1) are focused on adults with HIV (18+ years), (2) examine the effects of an intervention (pharmacological or non-pharmacological) within this population, and (3) have a primary outcome dedicated to sleep quality and or insomnia symptoms. All published manuscripts, abstracts, conference proceedings, and currently registered studies in the Clinical Trials Registry will be considered. The review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology and adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting standards checklist. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted by searching Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central, and Proquest Theses and Dissertations in July 2026. Two reviewers will independently screen abstracts and titles using Covidence, with a third reviewer resolving any potential conflicts via consensus meetings. Full text reviews of selected studies will then be conducted to determine final study eligibility. Data from included studies will then be independently extracted using a pilot-tested “extraction form” that captures participant characteristics, study details, intervention design, and sleep-related outcomes. A thorough narrative review with a summary table of study characteristics and findings will be generated at the end of the scoping review process.

Results:

The scoping review began in April 2026. Authors anticipate that relevant full-texts will be identified by December 2026 and all eligible manuscripts will be initially reviewed by January 2027. Final results are expected to be consolidated and submitted for publication in the spring/summer of 2027.

Conclusions:

The results of this scoping review well help to contextualize the current landscape of potentially helpful interventions to improve insomnia symptoms and general sleep quality among PWH. Understanding the types of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia that have been tested in PWH may provide targeted guidance for optimizing personalized treatments to improve sleep health in this underserved population. Clinical Trial: OSF Registration: [EMBARGOED UNTIL 10/01/2026 FOR BLINDED PEER REVIEW]