Latest news with #CognitiveBehavioralTherapyforInsomnia
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
'CBT-I is the gold-standard treatment for insomnia' — an expert shares his go-to method for helping people with sleep disturbances
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 12% of US adults are diagnosed with chronic insomnia, a disorder that makes falling asleep and staying asleep difficult. While treatment for insomnia can include medication, more and more people are turning to CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia). This form of therapy is designed to address the root factors contributing to insomnia, rather than just medicating symptoms. But how effective is it? We spoke to Dr Aric Prather, Sleep Advisor to wellness app Headspace, and the Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program at the University of California at San Francisco, to find out more following the launch of Headspace's new CBT-I sleep programme Finding Your Best Sleep. Here's what he told us... "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold-standard empirically supported treatment for insomnia, and should be the first line treatment for individuals with insomnia before embarking on pharmacologic treatment," says Dr Aric. CBT-I also addresses the anxiety that develops with unpredictable sleep "Unlike hypnotic medication, CBT-I addresses the perpetuating factors that drive insomnia, and provides the patient with science-backed strategies to improve sleep by consolidating sleep and entraining their circadian rhythm. "CBT-I also addresses the anxiety that develops with unpredictable sleep by incorporating relaxation techniques and psychological strategies like cognitive restructuring. "The goal is to help patients better regulate their sleep, find some success in sleeping, and build confidence and resilience." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "CBT-I focuses specifically on sleep and insomnia symptoms. Unlike other CBT therapies, CBT-I is heavily behavioral. We know quite a bit about what regulates our sleep biologically, so that's where we start. "Focusing on standardizing someone's wake up time, implementing stimulus control to reduce cognitive arousal in bed, and tracking sleep behavior via a sleep diary followed by restricting their time in bed to increase sleep consolidation can go a long way towards increasing the predictability at nighttime and reducing anxiety prior to and during the night." "CBT-I can certainly improve anxiety symptoms. In fact, several clinical trials demonstrate that individuals randomized to CBT-I show significant reductions in anxiety symptoms compared to those randomized to control conditions. "This isn't surprising given that poor sleep often leaves people more 'on edge' and anxious. Headspace also offers a guided program specifically for anxiety and depression, the CBT for Anxiety & Depression program, which incorporates CBT techniques specific to improving anxiety and depression symptoms. "The course has been shown to decrease anxiety & depression symptoms, improve sleep quality and positively impact mental health and wellbeing (results currently being prepared for peer review)." "Some people tend to benefit more from CBT-I than others, though much more research is needed to clarify these differences. There is little downside [to CBT-I], and it's likely to provide you with a greater sense of control over your sleep "There is some evidence that shorter sleepers with insomnia- those sleeping less than six hours, for example- may struggle with CBT-I more than longer sleepers. "This is likely because one of the active mechanisms for why CBT-I is effective is through time in bed restriction, which may not be as powerful in those already getting little sleep. "In my clinical experience, CBT-I may also be less effective in individuals with complex psychiatric or medical presentations. "In some cases there may be conditions or medications that are impacting sleep where CBT-I may not completely resolve the sleep concern." "While CBT-I remains the gold standard for treating insomnia, it isn't always accessible. Headspace's sleep course 'Finding Your Best Sleep' was created to expand low-cost access to effective sleep support. Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I does not carry any long term risk "The course expands access to proven sleep support by offering expert-led, self-guided sessions that can be completed anytime, anywhere. Included with a Headspace membership, it offers flexibility and affordability—removing common barriers to care. "The course has been clinically proven to improve insomnia after practicing just 10 minutes a day over the course of 18 days. "I hope that anyone who is struggling with insomnia will consider a trial of CBT-I in any way that is accessible to them. There is little downside, and is likely to provide you with a greater sense of control over your sleep experience. "Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I does not carry any long term risk. Moreover, the strategies learned through CBT-I can be useful well into the future and sleep changes as our lives unfold." "My suspicion is that stress and feelings of uncertainty are the most likely culprits of insomnia. For so many- too many- we feel like we are in a state of hypervigilance, and this results in nights of disturbed sleep. In turn, we often lack the emotional resources to deal with the stressors the following day, leading to yet another night of poor sleep. Thankfully, programs like CBT-I can help provide a roadmap to better regulate our sleep, and when coupled with stress management strategies, can help us cope with this stressful world." "First, I would say that they are not alone. In fact at least 30% of adults, if not more, are not getting adequate sleep. The second piece of advice is to take stock of your sleep life. Is it that you are getting sleep but don't feel refreshed? At least 30% of adults, if not more, are not getting adequate sleep "Is something disrupting your sleep? Are you so pressed for time that you are not giving yourself enough opportunity? The answer to these questions will lead to different solutions. "If you are worried about your sleep, the first step could be to talk to your doctor to make sure that you don't have a sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, disrupting your sleep. "If not and you're looking for a personalised approach, consider trying CBT-I through a sleep specialist, I always suggest that people explore the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine directory to find someone in their region."
Tom's Guide
08-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Trouble sleeping? Headspace's new insomnia-fighting course could get your rest back on track, study finds
New peer-reviewed research has found that a better sleep program from popular mindfulness app Headspace reduced symptoms of insomnia in 29% of participants with just 10 minutes daily practice. Getting better sleep at night also helped lower levels of depression among participants, leaving them feeling more rested and hopeful for the day ahead. Finding Your Best Sleep by Headspace is an 18-day self-guided program that incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among other evidence-based techniques to help users reduce racing thoughts and restlessness at night, and build lasting better sleep hygiene habits. Around one in three adults in the US aren't sleeping enough and while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) offers an evidence-based approach to better sleep, a lack of practicing therapists means it can be hard to access and expensive. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based approach that aims to reduce insomnia by changing the behaviors and thought patterns around sleep. During the course of the study, 132 adults with clinical insomnia were assigned to either the Headspace sleep program or a control group. Those in the sleep program followed "Finding Your Best Sleep"; an 18-day course that uses 10 minute daily sessions based on CBT-I to target insomnia Participants were required to report on their sleep and mood pre-intervention, during intervention and post-intervention. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Those in the Headspace group showed a 29% reduction in self-reported insomnia symptoms compared to those in the control group, as well as reporting an improvement in overall sleep quality. CBT-I is considered one of the most effective methods for reducing insomnia, but cost and accessibility means it isn't always an option for those struggling with their sleep. The Headspace app aims to offer a flexible and affordable approach to CBT-I, packaging the basic principals into a course you can complete on your own time. 'These compelling research findings represent a novel and scalable way to help individuals get the sleep they need,' says Dr. Aric Prather, Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program at the University of California at San Francisco. 'With nearly 30% of adults reporting sleep difficulties, access to this new program could be game-changing.' Users who engaged with the Headspace Finding Your Best Sleep program didn't just report benefits to their sleep — they also found their mood improved. Participants reported reduced stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms while using Headspace, and these positive results were further observed during the three week follow-up. Sleep deprivation and insomnia are linked to anxiety, irritability and depression while those who experience long-term sleep deprivation often struggle to regular their emotions. Harvard Health even describes a good night's sleep as the "best way to improve your mood." While the Headspace sleep program takes 18 days to complete, this study indicates that the advantages might last well beyond that initial period. Three weeks post-intervention — after completing the program — participants were asked to report on their sleep and mental health. Users who had engaged with Finding Your Best Sleep continued to note improved sleep and mood compared to pre-intervention. Among the control group, who hadn't completed the course, little difference was observed. CBT-I aims to create a healthier attitude towards sleep, removing the pressure many of us feel to get a solid eight hours every night... and the disappointment when we inevitably fail to meet those targets. When successful, this can lead to a long-term reduction in insomnia. CBT-I focuses on your thoughts and behaviors around sleep, identifying issues that are contributing to your insomnia to restructure your approach to bedtime. This process will typically take place over several sessions, typically administered by a healthcare professional. However, currently only a small number of trained CBT-I therapists are operating in the US, which can make the treatment hard to access. If you are experiencing insomnia and think you might benefit from CBT-I, we recommend speaking to your doctor about available treatment plans. Mindfulness for better sleep helps you adjust your approach to rest. Instead of chasing unattainable perfection, you focus on practicing a healthy routine. Here are some methods to get started...
