Efficacy of brief behavioral treatment for insomnia in older adults

January 01, 0001

Efficacy of brief behavioral treatment for insomnia in older adults

The aim of this study by US authors was by to test the efficacy of brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) vs an information control (IC) condition. A total of 79 older adults (mean age, 71.7 years; 54 women [70%

They found: "Categorically defined response (67% {n = 26} vs 25% {n = 10})and the proportion of participants without insomnia (55% {n = 21} vs 13% {n = 5) were significantly higher for BBTI than for IC. The number needed to treat was 2.4 for each outcome. No differential effects were found for subgroups according to hypnotic or antidepressant use, sleep apnea, or recruitment source. The BBTI produced significantly better outcomes in self- reported sleep and health, sleep diary, and actigraphy, but not polysomnography. Improvements were maintained at 6 months."

The authors concluded: "We found that BBTI is a simple, efficacious, and durable intervention for chronic insomnia in older adults that has potential for dissemination across medical settings."

Better than a pharmacological approach as first-line.


For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Intern Med 171(10):887-895, 23 May 2011 © 2011 to the American Medical Association
Efficacy of Brief Behavioral Treatment for Chronic Insomnia in Older Adults. Daniel J. Buysse, Anne Germain, Douglas E. Moul, et al. Correspondence to Dr. Buyssse: [email protected]

Category: P. Psychological. Keywords: insomnia, older adults, brief behavioral therapy, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 7 June 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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