A novel application of stellate ganglion block to improve sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Sleep is essential for optimal health; however, the prevalence of poor sleep, characterized by disrupted patterns and qualities, adversely affects psychological well-being and cognitive function. This issue is prevalent, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. Current therapeutic options exhibit notable limitations. The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) may alleviate sleep disturbances through various physiological mechanisms; however, its safety and efficacy remain subjects of ongoing debate. This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the efficacy of SGB using objective metrics to provide high-quality clinical evidence and to inform future research directions. Methods Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, OVID, and Google Scholar from database inception to June 2025. Analyses were performed with RevMan 5.4 software, and the study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251040732) . Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. In comparison to the control group, patients who received the SGB demonstrated a statistically significant increase in total sleep time (WMD: 60.86; 95% CI, 38.05 to 83.66; P < 0.001). Additionally, these patients exhibited lower scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (WMD: -1.22; 95% CI, -1.80 to -0.65; P < 0.001), reduced sleep onset latency (WMD: -1.59; 95% CI, -2.48 to -0.69; P < 0.001), and enhanced deep sleep quality, as indicated by lower scores on the deep sleep quality assessment (WMD: -1.42; 95% CI, -1.95 to -0.89; P < 0.001). Conclusion The SGB shows promise in alleviating sleep problems. However, a lack of high-quality studies, insufficient long-term follow-up, and incomplete participant demographic data limit the existing evidence. There is a pressing need for extended follow-up and multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Future research should explore the potential synergies between stellate ganglion block and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) for sleep disorder to assess the sustainability of its efficacy and to expand the population that may benefit from this intervention. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , identifier CRD420251040732.