The Effect of Time-Restricted Eating on Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Context The bidirectional relationship between sleep and the circadian clock has prompted many studies investigating the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) on sleep, although with inconsistent results. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of TRE on sleep. Data Sources The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies investigating the effects of TRE on sleep, published up to February 5, 2024. Data Extraction Changes in sleep duration, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), wake-up time, and sleep-onset time from baseline were extracted and analyzed using R language (2021; R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Data Analysis The quality of the studies was assessed using a methodological index for a nonrandomized studies checklist and the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Thirteen studies comprising 638 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Meta-analysis based on single-arm studies and TRE arms revealed that the TRE intervention significantly increased sleep duration (mean change [MC]: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.01–0.25; P = .03) and decreased the PSQI (pooled MC: –0.47; 95% CI: –0.80 to –0.15; P < .01, I2 = 0%, P = .43). Participants with early TRE exhibited low PSQI scores after the intervention (pooled mean difference: –0.77; 95% CI: –1.29 to –0.24; P < .01). However, meta-analysis based on controlled trials revealed no differences in sleep duration or PSQI scores. Pooled results revealed that TRE had no significant effect on sleep-onset or wake-up time. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that TRE may have a modest effect on sleep; however, further studies are required to verify this hypothesis.