Acceptability, tolerability, and potential efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for Insomnia Disorder subtypes defined by polysomnography: A retrospective cohort study

Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 27;8(1):6664. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25033-3.

Abstract

In this retrospective cohort study, we describe acceptability, tolerability and potential efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in Insomnia Disorder subtypes, derived from polysomnography (PSG): insomnia with normal-sleep duration (I-NSD) and insomnia with short-sleep duration (I-SSD). All research volunteers were offered access to digital CBT, single component sleep restriction therapy and face-to-face group CBT. Follow-up occurred at three months post-treatment using the insomnia severity index (ISI). 96 participants (61 females, mean age of 41 years) were grouped into either normal-sleep (n = 53) or short-sleep (n = 43). CBT was acceptable to 63% of participants (normal-sleep = 31, short-sleep = 29), with 28 completing therapy (tolerability: normal-sleep = 11, short-sleep = 17). For potential efficacy, 39 (normal-sleep = 20, short-sleep = 19) out of 96 participants (41%) completed a follow-up ISI assessment. In this reduced sample, mean (SD) ISI scores decreased across both groups (normal-sleep: 18.0 (4.0) to 10.7 (4.6); short-sleep: 16.5 (5.5) to 11.0 (6.3); both P < 0.01). Those with normal-sleep were more likely to respond (≥6-point ISI reduction) to CBT compared to short-sleep (70%, n = 14/20 vs. 37%, n = 7/19 respectively, P = 0.038). In this cohort, 60 (63%) of participants attempted CBT and of those 28 (47%) completed therapy. Results may be comparable to clinical participants with implications for the successful translation of CBT for insomnia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Polysomnography
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult