Prevalence and management of chronic insomnia in Swiss primary care: Cross‐sectional data from the “Sentinella” practice‐based research network

We investigated the prevalence and treatment of patients with chronic insomnia presenting to Swiss primary care physicians (PCPs) part of “Sentinella”, a nationwide practice‐based research network. Each PCP consecutively asked 40 patients if they had sleep complaints, documented frequency, duration, comorbidities, and reported ongoing treatment. We analysed data of 63% (83/132) of the PCPs invited. The PCPs asked 76% (2,432/3,216) of included patients about their sleep (51% female); 31% (761/2,432) of these had had insomnia symptoms; 36% (875/2,432) had current insomnia symptoms; 11% (269/2,432) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM‐5) criteria for chronic insomnia (61% female). In all, 75% (201/269) of patients with chronic insomnia had comorbidities, with 49% (99/201) reporting depression. Chronic insomnia was treated in 78% (209/269); 70% (188/268) took medication, 38% (102/268) benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine receptor agonists, 32% (86/268) took antidepressants. Only 1% (three of 268) had been treated with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I). A third of patients presenting for a non‐urgent visit in Swiss primary care reported insomnia symptoms and 11% met the DSM‐5 criteria for chronic insomnia. Hypnotics were the most common treatment, but almost no patients received first‐line CBT‐I. Reducing the burden of insomnia depends on disseminating knowledge about and access to CBT‐I, and encouraging PCPs to discuss it with and offer it as a first‐line treatment to patients with chronic insomnia.     

The European Academy for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia: An initiative of the European Insomnia Network to promote implementation and dissemination of treatment

Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide, confers marked risks for both physical and mental health. Furthermore, insomnia is associated with considerable direct and indirect healthcare costs. Recent guidelines in the US and Europe unequivocally conclude that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) should be the first‐line treatment for the disorder. Current treatment approaches are in stark contrast to these clear recommendations, not least across Europe, where, if any treatment at all is delivered, hypnotic medication still is the dominant therapeutic modality. To address this situation, a Task Force of the European Sleep Research Society and the European Insomnia Network met in May 2018. The Task Force proposed establishing a European CBT‐I Academy that would enable a Europe‐wide system of standardized CBT‐I training and training centre accreditation. This article summarizes the deliberations of the Task Force concerning definition and ingredients of CBT‐I, preconditions for health professionals to teach CBT‐I, the way in which CBT‐I should be taught, who should be taught CBT‐I and to whom CBT‐I should be administered. Furthermore, diverse aspects of CBT‐I care and delivery were discussed and incorporated into a stepped‐care model for insomnia.     

Internight sleep variability: its clinical significance and responsiveness to treatment in primary and comorbid insomnia

Although sleep diary and actigraphy data are usually collected daily for 1 or 2 weeks, traditional analytical approaches aggregate these data into mean values. Internight variability of sleep often accompanies insomnia. However, few studies have explored the relevance of this ‘construct’ in the context of diagnosis, clinical impact, treatment effects and/or whether having ‘variable sleep’ carries any prognostic significance. We explored these questions by conducting secondary analyses of data from a randomized clinical trial. The sample included primary (PI: n = 40) and comorbid insomnia (CMI: n = 41) sufferers receiving four biweekly sessions of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) or sleep hygiene education. Using the within‐subject standard deviations of diary‐ and actigraphy‐derived measures collected for 2‐week periods [sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE)], we found that CMI sufferers displayed more variable self‐reported SOLs and SEs than PI sufferers. However, higher variability in diary and actigraphy‐derived measures was related to poorer sleep quality only within the PI group, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Within both groups, the variability of diary‐derived measures was reduced after CBT, but the variability of actigraphy‐derived measures remained unchanged. Interestingly, the variability of actigraphy measures at baseline was correlated with PSQI scores at 6‐month follow‐up. Higher SOL variability was associated with worse treatment outcomes within the PI group, whereas higher WASO variability was correlated with better treatment outcomes within the CMI group. Sleep variability differences across insomnia diagnoses, along with their distinctive correlates, suggest that mechanisms underlying the sleep disruption/complaint and treatment response in both patient groups are distinct. Further studies are warranted to support variability as a useful metric in insomnia studies.     

Home-Based Video CBT for Comorbid Geriatric Insomnia: A Pilot Study Using Secondary Data Analyses

Two recent studies showed that cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) is efficacious in treating insomnia in older adults with comorbid medical conditions. The authors extended these findings by comparing 12 older adults with comorbid insomnia who received a home-based video CBT program to the authors' previously published data on 24 participants who received classroom CBT or no treatment. All 36 participants were initially randomized within the same protocol, but the video arm was conducted 7 months after completion of the other two study arms. Compared to controls, the video CBT group demonstrated significant changes in five of eight self-report measures of sleep at posttreatment, including sleep latency, time awake after sleep onset, total time in bed, overall sleep quality, and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Compared to controls, the video CBT group also had posttreatment improvements in daytime functioning, including mood, pain perception, social functioning, and energy-vitality. Although video CBT was not significantly different from classroom CBT on self-report measures, the attrition rate was higher (27% vs. 19%) and the number of participants who achieved clinically significant change was lower (50% vs. 73%). These preliminary findings suggest that delivering CBT in a home-based video format has the potential to serve as a first-line, cost-effective treatment for comorbid insomnia.     

Home-based video CBT for comorbid geriatric insomnia: a pilot study using secondary data analyses

Two recent studies showed that cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) is efficacious in treating insomnia in older adults with comorbid medical conditions. The authors extended these findings by comparing 12 older adults with comorbid insomnia who received a home-based video CBT program to the authors' previously published data on 24 participants who received classroom CBT or no treatment. All 36 participants were initially randomized within the same protocol, but the video arm was conducted 7 months after completion of the other two study arms. Compared to controls, the video CBT group demonstrated significant changes in five of eight self-report measures of sleep at posttreatment, including sleep latency, time awake after sleep onset, total time in bed, overall sleep quality, and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Compared to controls, the video CBT group also had posttreatment improvements in daytime functioning, including mood, pain perception, social functioning, and energy-vitality. Although video CBT was not significantly different from classroom CBT on self-report measures, the attrition rate was higher (27% vs. 19%) and the number of participants who achieved clinically significant change was lower (50% vs. 73%). These preliminary findings suggest that delivering CBT in a home-based video format has the potential to serve as a first-line, cost-effective treatment for comorbid insomnia.     

Telehealth‐delivered CBT‐I programme enhanced by acceptance and commitment therapy for insomnia and hypnotic dependence: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia. However, up to a quarter of patients dropout from cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia programmes. Acceptance, mindfulness and values‐based actions may constitute complementary therapeutic tools to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. The current study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a remotely delivered programme combining the main components of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (sleep restriction and stimulus control) with the third‐wave cognitive behavioural therapy acceptance and commitment therapy in adults with chronic insomnia and hypnotic dependence on insomnia symptoms and quality of life. Thirty‐two participants were enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial: half of them were assigned to a 3‐month waiting list before receiving the four “acceptance and commitment therapy‐enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia” treatment sessions using videoconference. The primary outcome was sleep quality as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. All participants also filled out questionnaires about quality of life, use of hypnotics, depression and anxiety, acceptance, mindfulness, thought suppression, as well as a sleep diary at baseline, post‐treatment and 6‐month follow‐up. A large effect size was found for Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, but also daytime improvements, with increased quality of life and acceptance at post‐treatment endpoint in acceptance and commitment therapy‐enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia participants. Improvement in Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was maintained at the 6‐month follow‐up. Wait‐list participants increased their use of hypnotics, whereas acceptance and commitment therapy‐enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia participants evidenced reduced use of them. This pilot study suggests that web‐based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia incorporating acceptance and commitment therapy processes may be an efficient option to treat chronic insomnia and hypnotic dependence.     

Insomnia management in prisons in England and Wales: a mixed‐methods study

Insomnia in prison is common; however, research is limited regarding the management strategies that prison establishments employ. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a survey to identify how insomnia is detected, diagnosed and treated in adult prisons in England and Wales. Telephone interviews with a purposive sample of health‐care managers were then conducted. The survey was sent to all establishments holding adult prisoners, covering screening and assessment methods to detect insomnia; treatment options, both pharmacological and non‐pharmacological; the importance of insomnia as a treatable condition; and staff training available. Eighty‐four (73%) prisons completed the survey. Few had a stepped approach to insomnia management, as recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The most common treatments available were sleep hygiene education and medication, offered by 94 and 88% of respondents, respectively. Analysis of telephone interviews revealed four main themes: insomnia as a normal occurrence in prison; the problem of medication in prison; the negative impact of the prison environment; and effective management of insomnia in prison. The current findings suggest that logistical, ethical and security barriers and a lack of staff knowledge and training impact negatively on the management of insomnia in prison.     

Clinical Significance and Predictors of Treatment Response to Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Insomnia Secondary to Chronic Pain

We examined individual responses to cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia in 51 persons with chronic pain to determine the rate of clinically significant change and to identify predictors of successful treatment response. Outcome measures consisted of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and diary measures of sleep latency and sleep continuity. Using reliable change indices, 57% of participants were statistically improved on the PSQI after 7 weeks of treatment, but only 18% were considered fully recovered from their sleep problems. No demographic variables predicted treatment response but persons who reliably improved on the PSQI had a lower sleep self-efficacy at baseline. Improvers showed a significant increase in sleep self-efficacy ratings and a decrease in self-reported levels of distress and pain-related disability. These results suggest that patients with insomnia secondary to chronic medical conditions can be helped with cognitive-behavior therapy, although most individuals continue to have mild or subthreshold sleep problems at posttreatment.     

The Future of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: What Important Research Remains to Be Done?

The efficacy of cognitive‐behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) to improve both short‐ and long‐term outcomes in both uncomplicated and comorbid insomnia patients has been repeatedly and conclusively demonstrated. Further demonstrations of efficacy, per se, in additional comorbid insomnia populations are likely not the best use of limited energy and resources. Rather, we propose that future CBT‐I research would be better focused on three key areas: (a) increasing treatment efficacy, particularly for more clinically relevant outcomes; (b) increasing treatment effectiveness and potential for translation into the community, with a particular focus on variants of CBT‐I and alternative delivery modalities within primary healthcare systems; and (c) increasing CBT‐I practitioner training and dissemination.     

Sleep hygiene and actigraphically evaluated sleep characteristics in children with ADHD and chronic sleep onset insomnia

In the present study we investigated sleep hygiene and actigraphically evaluated sleep in 74 medication‐naïve children, aged 6–12 years, with rigorously diagnosed attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and chronic sleep onset insomnia (ADHD‐SOI) and 23 ADHD controls without insomnia (ADHD‐noSOI). Between‐group differences were analysed for lights out (sleep log), actigraphically evaluated sleep onset, sleep latency, total sleep duration, actual sleep time and sleep hygiene as measured with the Children's Sleep Hygiene Scale. We found a significant difference (P < 0.001) in mean (±SD) sleep onset between the ADHD‐SOI group (21:49 ± 0:56 h) and ADHD‐noSOI groups (20:41 ± 0:45 h). Sleep latency was significantly (P < 0.001) longer in ADHD‐SOI (00:53 ± 0:25 h) compared to ADHD‐noSOI (00:26 ± 0:25 h). The difference in total sleep duration between ADHD‐SOI (9:42 ± 0:44 h) and ADHD‐noSOI (10:09 ± 0:43 h) was not significantly different (P = 0.18). The group difference in actual sleep time was also not significant (8:43 ± 0:52 h in ADHD‐SOI versus 9:13 ± 1:16 h; P = 0.40). There was no significant difference (P = 0.17) in mean (±SD) total sleep hygiene score between the ADHD‐SOI (56.4 ± 10.5) and ADHD‐noSOI groups (53.0 ± 10.6). We conclude that there were differences in sleep onset and sleep latency in ADHD children with chronic SOI and those without insomnia; however, sleep hygiene practices were similar and did not relate to sleep characteristics.     

Associations of disordered sleep with body fat distribution,physical activity and diet among overweight middle‐aged men

This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate whether body fat distribution, physical activity levels and dietary intakes are associated with insomnia and/or obstructive sleep apnea among overweight middle‐aged men. Participants were 211 Finnish men aged 30–65 years. Among the 163 overweight or obese participants, 40 had insomnia only, 23 had obstructive sleep apnea only, 24 had comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea and 76 were without sleep disorder. The remaining 48 participants had normal weight without sleep disorder. Fat mass, levels of physical activity and diet were assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray densitometry, physical activity questionnaire and 3‐day food diary, respectively. Among the overweight participants, we found that: (i) groups with sleep disorders had higher fat mass in trunk and android regions than the group without sleep disorder (P = 0.048–0.004); (ii) the insomnia‐only group showed a lower level of leisure‐time physical activity (436.9 versus 986.5 MET min week^?1, P = 0.009) and higher intake of saturated fatty acids (14.8 versus 12.7 E%, P = 0.011) than the group without sleep disorder; and (iii) the comorbid group had a lower level of leisure‐time physical activity (344.4 versus 986.5 MET min week^?1, P = 0.007) and lower folate intake (118.9 versus 152.1 μg, P = 0.002) than the group without sleep disorder, which were independent of body mass index. The results suggest that central obesity is associated with insomnia and/or obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, low levels of leisure‐time physical activity and poor dietary intakes are related to insomnia or comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea among overweight men.     

Severe chronic insomnia is not associated with higher body mass index

Short sleep duration is widely considered to be a risk factor for weight gain, suggesting that patients suffering from sleep disorders are a risk group. Despite some positive preliminary data on patients with organic sleep disorders, empirical evidence for an increased body mass index in patients with insomnia is scarce. Two‐hundred and thirty‐three patients with a confirmed diagnosis of severe and chronic insomnia without co‐morbidity showing objectively impaired sleep quality were compared with respect to their body mass index with control data derived from a representative population survey matched in gender and age. As a result, patients with insomnia showed a lower body mass index (23.8 kg m^?2 versus 27.1 kg m^?2; P < 0.0005). Our findings suggest that patients with chronic insomnia do not exhibit overweight. These data are a valuable educational tool to calm patients’ fears about the consequences of insomnia, and contribute to the understanding of chronically disturbed sleep and weight regulation.     

认知行为与安眠药物治疗慢性失眠症临床效果对比分析

目的：比较认知行为、安眠药物和安慰剂治疗慢性失眠症的临床效果。方法：48名慢性失眠症男女患者自愿受试者，随机分成4组，分别接受认知行为、安眠药物、安眠药物和认知行为结合、安慰剂治疗。记录患者在治疗前后的主观和客观（夜间多导睡眠图，简称PSG）指标。结果：治疗开始后第8天，药物组和结合组的主观记录睡眠潜伏期分别为20分钟和27分钟，睡眠效率80％和82％，睡眠总时间分别为381分钟和356分钟，睡眠状况显著改善，效果好于认知行为组。经8周疗程治疗结束时，认知行为组上述睡眠3项指标好于治疗前，安慰剂组与治疗前无显著差异。治疗结束8个月时，认知行为组PSG记录睡眠潜伏期26分钟，睡眠效率84％，睡眠总时间378分钟，睡眠状态好于药物组和结合组，后两组较治疗刚结束时睡眠指标变差，药物组睡眠又恢复到治疗前的水平。结论：药物对睡眠改善起效快，短期效果好，认知行为治疗对睡眠改善有主观和客观（PSG记录）证明的长期效果，对与患者失眠相关的睡眠心理状态也有改善。安眠药物与认知行为结合治疗远期效果不如单纯认知行为治疗。     

The joint contribution of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea on sickness absence

Several studies have indicated a high degree of overlap between insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea, but little is known regarding how the overlap may affect adverse outcomes associated with each of the disorders. The aim of the current study was to examine the separate and combined effects of symptoms of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea on long‐term sick leave. We used an historical cohort design with 4 years follow‐up. Information on sick leave was obtained from Norwegian official registry data, and merged with health information from the Hordaland Health Study in western Norway, 1997–99. A total of 6892 participants aged 40–45 years were assessed for self‐reported symptoms of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea (snoring and breathing cessations), as well as confounding factors. The level of overlap between insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea was low (7–12%). Both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea alone were significant risk factors for subsequent sick leave after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratios ranging from 1.4 to 2.3). Having comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea increased the risk significantly. There was an additive interaction effect between the two conditions in the unadjusted analyses, but this was reduced to a non‐significant level when adjusting for confounders. This study is the first to report the separate and combined effects of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea on any adverse outcome. Having both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea increased the risk of later sick leave, but there was no evidence of an independent synergy effect of the two conditions.     

Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia: Treatment Outcome and the Relevance of Medical and Psychiatric Morbidity

Recently, we undertook a case series study and found that behavior therapy for insomnia was effective as plied in the clinic setting and that the findings were similar to those in the clinical trial literature. In the present study, we evaluate a second set of case series data to assess (1) the replicability of our original findings, (2) if our treatment outcomes are statistically comparable to those in the literature, and (3) if medical and psychiatric morbidity influence treatment outcome. It was found that patients who completed four or more sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT) were, on average, 33% improved. This average corresponded to a 56% reduction in wake time after sleep onset, a 34% reduction in sleep latency, a 29% increase in total sleep time, and a 13% decrease in number of awakenings per night. These findings are not significantly different from those reported in literature for both CBT and pharmacotherapy interventions. Medical and psychiatric comorbidity did not influence treatment outcome.     

慢性失眠症患者的应对方式和睡眠行为特征对照研究

目的 :调查慢性失眠症患者的睡眠行为特征、应对方式和心理控制源 ,以及三者之间的关系。方法 :62名慢性失眠症男女患者和配对睡眠正常者完成睡眠行为特征量表 (包括有无对睡眠的不合理信念、非功能性睡眠行为和夜间情绪焦虑三个分量表 )、应对方式和I—E心理控制源量表评估。结果 :慢性失眠症组与睡眠正常组比较有更多的对睡眠的不合理信念、非功能性睡眠行为 (t =8 96,P <0 0 1)和夜间情绪焦虑 (t =3 7 61,P <0 0 1) ,应对方式在解决问题因子分 (t =6 3 6,P <0 0 1)和自责因子分 (t =4 17,P <0 0 5 )分别低于和高于睡眠正常组 ,I—E心理控制源量表分高于睡眠正常组 (t =4 5 ,P <0 0 5 )。逐步多元回归分析显示失眠患者的不合理信念和非功能性睡眠行为与解决问题、心理控制源有相关性 (P均 <0 0 1)。结论 :慢性失眠症患者存在对睡眠的不合理信念、非功能性睡眠行为和夜间情绪焦虑。应对方式和心理控制源与睡眠正常者比较主要表现在解决问题能力低 ,心理控制源外控。解决问题方式和心理控制源外控可能对患者的不合理信念和非功能性睡眠行为的形成构成影响。     

Prevalence, course, and comorbidity of insomnia and depression in young adults

STUDY OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the prevalence and prospective course of insomnia in a representative young-adult sample and (2) to describe the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between insomnia and depression. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Community of Zurich, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Representative stratified population sample. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The Zurich Study prospectively assessed psychiatric, physical, and sleep symptoms in a community sample of young adults (n=591) with 6 interviews spanning 20 years. We distinguished 4 duration-based subtypes of insomnia: 1-month insomnia associated with significant distress, 2- to 3-week insomnia, recurrent brief insomnia, and occasional brief insomnia. The annual prevalence of 1-month insomnia increased gradually over time, with a cumulative prevalence rate of 20% and a greater than 2-fold risk among women. In 40% of subjects, insomnia developed into more chronic forms over time. Insomnia either with or without comorbid depression was highly stable over time. Insomnia lasting 2 weeks or longer predicted major depressive episodes and major depressive disorder at subsequent interviews; 17% to 50% of subjects with insomnia lasting 2 weeks or longer developed a major depressive episode in a later interview. "Pure" insomnia and "pure" depression were not longitudinally related to each other, whereas insomnia comorbid with depression was longitudinally related to both. CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal study confirms the persistent nature of insomnia and the increased risk of subsequent depression among individuals with insomnia. The data support a spectrum of insomnia (defined by duration and frequency) comorbid with, rather than secondary to, depression.     

The relationship between a night's sleep and subsequent daytime functioning in older poor and good sleepers

Those suffering insomnia symptoms generally report daytime impairments. However, research has not assessed whether this relationship holds on a nightly basis, despite the strongly held belief that a night of poor sleep impairs mood and functioning the following day. The objective of this study was to test this relationship in a group of older poor sleepers with insomnia symptoms compared with good sleepers. This study utilized a within‐subjects design to investigate day‐to‐day subjective daytime functioning and its relation to the previous night's sleep. Seventeen older individuals (mean age: 67.5 years) were identified with a retrospective questionnaire and 2 weeks of sleep–wake diary to have poor sleep consistent with insomnia. Seventeen good sleepers (mean age: 67.8 years) were selected using the same measures. Participants reported their beliefs about sleep and daytime functioning on the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS‐16). One week later they commenced a 14‐day period of sleep–wake diaries and concurrent responses to a modified Daytime Insomnia Symptom Scale (DISS). Results showed significant night‐to‐day covariation between sleep efficiency and daytime functioning for individuals with poor sleep (r = 0.34), but not for good sleepers (r = 0.08). Those poor sleepers who held this covariation belief most strongly were those who subsequently showed this night‐to‐day relationship the most strongly (r = 0.56). This was not true for good sleepers. For those suffering insomnia, these findings demonstrate their belief that a poor sleep is followed by an impaired daytime, consistent with their experience.