Physioyoga as a Digital Detox: Exploring the Influence of Sensorimotor Integration on Insomnia and Stress in Smartphone Addicted Individuals - a Feasibility Study

Background: Smartphone addiction is increasingly recognized as a behavioural health concern among young adults, often leading to disrupted sleep patterns, elevated stress levels, and impaired sensorimotor integration (SMI). SMI plays a vital role in maintaining postural control, autonomic regulation, and emotional stability. Chronic digital engagement may desynchronize these systems, contributing to insomnia and psychological distress. Physioyoga a therapeutic blend of physiotherapy and yoga offers a holistic approach to restoring SMI through structured movement, breathwork, and relaxation techniques. However, its feasibility and impact on sleep and stress in smartphone-addicted individuals remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a structured Physioyoga protocol in improving sleep quality and reducing perceived stress among smartphone-addicted young adults, with a focus on sensorimotor integration. Methods: This feasibility study recruited 20 participants aged 18–25 years using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria included a high score on the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV ≥31) and poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] >5). Participants underwent a 4 week online Physioyoga intervention, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. The protocol integrated Sukshma Vyayama (micro-movements), proprioceptive drills, PNF-style neuromuscular facilitation, yoga asanas, pranayama, and guided Shavasana. Feasibility metrics included recruitment rate, session adherence, and retention. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were assessed using PSQI and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data were analysed using R Studio. Results: The study achieved 100% recruitment and session adherence, with a retention rate of 95%. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both PSQI and PSS scores post-intervention (p < 0.001), indicating enhanced sleep quality and reduced stress levels. Participants reported high acceptability and engagement with the Physioyoga protocol. Conclusion: Physioyoga is a feasible and well-accepted intervention for addressing insomnia and stress in smartphone-addicted young adults. The observed improvements suggest that targeting sensorimotor integration through mind-body practices may offer a scalable digital detox strategy. These findings warrant further investigation through randomized controlled trials with objective biomarkers and longer follow-up periods.