Clinical application of behavior therapy for insomnia

Behavior therapy procedures have led to significant improvement in insomnia in several controlled outcome studies, and provide an effective alternative to the use of hypnotics. This article highlights dangers in the pharmacologic management of sleep, provides an overview of behavioral techniques that have proven effective in the treatment of insomnia, and outlines guidelines for the implementation of behavioral techniques on a clinical level. A diagnostic approach which identifies the maintaining conditions of the insomnia through the use of behavior analysis techniques is recommended, and procedures for the development of rational, empirically-based treatment strategies are suggested.