Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a multi-component treatment that typically combines sleep education, sleep hygiene instructions, stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation training. CBT-I is considered the first line treatment for chronic insomnia due to evidence of its efficacy, including sustained improvement in insomnia over the long term. Compared to pharmacological treatment, CBT-I has similar short-term efficacy but better longterm durability. CBT-I improves subjective measures of time spent awake at night, resulting in improved sleep continuity. CBT-I is typically delivered in 4-8 face to face individual sessions, though the efficacy of different formats has also been demonstrated, including group therapy, telehealth, and digital therapeutics. Individuals with chronic insomnia frequently have medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and the efficacy of CBT-I has been demonstrated in numerous comorbid populations.

Keywords: Cognitive behavior therapy, Counter control, Cognitive therapy, Insomnia, Relaxation, Sleep hygiene, Stimulus control, Sleep restriction, Sleep compression.