The Sequelae of Sleeping Issues and their Management in Post COVID-19: A Unani and Contemporary Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impacted not only physical health but also psychological health, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep issues. Disrupted sleep has now become a global concern and burden in the post-COVID period of recovery. The Unani system of medicine elaborated on sleeping issues and their management during the pandemic. However, the claims of the Unani system and its medications in improving the various domains of sleep quality during the revival period have not been investigated. Materials and methods: A search of electronic databases on Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, on sleep disorders, post-COVID-19 and a manual search of Unani classical text related to sleep quality improvement methods was conducted. Results: Recent scientific evidence has found a positive association between COVID-19 and sleep disorders. Unani medicine suggests improvement of sleep issues by maintaining six essential factors, dieto-therapy, pharmacotherapy, and regimens (like Nutool (irrigation), Hamam (Turkish bath), and Dalk (massage). Several pre-clinical and clinical trials done on Unani herbs (single and poly-herbal preparations) have elucidated the scientific rationale for improving sleep quality. Conclusion: Unani therapy has sufficient potential for improving sleep outcomes for COVID-19 patients as they are efficacious, safe and affordable therapeutic options. Additionally, there is still a need for evidence to support the validity of Unani psychotherapy as a multifaceted and holistic approach.