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Title
Self-guided online cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia: A naturalistic evaluation in patients with potential psychiatric comorbidities
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Publication Date
2020-04-01
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Early Online Version
Abstract
Background: Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide, and regularly co-occurs with anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the gold standard treatment for insomnia (CBT-I), however demand for treatment providers drastically exceeds supply. Internet-delivered programs for insomnia (iCBT-I) improve treatment access. However the effects of unguided iCBT-I for individuals with comorbidities within a naturalistic setting remains unexplored. We developed a novel unguided iCBT-I program and evaluated its impact on insomnia, psychological distress, and wellbeing when accessed by the public. Methods: 317 participants experiencing insomnia for over 3 months enrolled in the program. The program consisted of 4 lessons delivered online with automated web support. Insomnia symptoms, psychological distress, and general wellbeing were assessed at lesson 1 and 4. Intention-to-treat linear mixed models were used to examine effects on insomnia, distress, and wellbeing. Results: Participants experienced large (g = 1.11) and significant reductions in insomnia, moderate (g = 0.55) and significant reductions in distress, and small (g = 0.37) but significant improvements in wellbeing. 65% of participants who reported pre-treatment insomnia severity at clinical levels remitted following treatment. Limitations: To examine the program in a naturalistic setting, we did not employ a control group or follow participants beyond the completion of treatment. Conclusions: Unguided iCBT-I is effective for individuals in the community who experience insomnia and are likely experiencing comorbid mental health problems. These effects in the absence of guided contact strengthen the utility of unguided iCBT-I as a scalable and cost-effective method of disseminating treatments for this disorder.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Journal of Affective Disorders, v.266, p. 305-310
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
2020-01-28
Place of Publication
Netherlands
ISSN
1573-2517
0165-0327
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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