Effects of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Insomnia Severity: A Large-Scale Randomized Controlled Trial

Main idea: dCBT-I is effective in reducing the severity of symptoms associated with the insomnia disorder. These findings support the widespread dissemination of dCBT-I.

Abstract

Background: Although several large-scale randomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I), there is a need to validate widespread dissemination of dCBT-I using recommended key outcomes for insomnia. The effect of a fully automated dCBT-I program on insomnia severity, sleep-wake patterns, sleep medication use, and daytime impairment were investigated.

It was a parallel-group superiority randomized controlled trial comparing dCBT-I with online patient education about sleep. The interventions were available through a free-to-access website, publicized throughout Norway, which incorporated automated screening, informed consent, and randomization procedures, as well as outcome assessments. Adults (age ≥18 years) who had regular internet access and scored 12 or higher on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were eligible for inclusion, and were allocated (1:1) to receive dCBT-I (consisting of six core interactive sessions to be completed over 9 weeks) or patient education (control group). Participants were masked to group assignment and had no contact with researchers during the intervention period. The primary outcome was the change in ISI score from baseline to 9-week follow-up, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Between Feb 26, 2016, and July 1, 2018, 5349 individuals commenced the online screening process, of which 1497 were ineligible or declined to participate, 2131 discontinued the screening process, and 1721 were randomly allocated (868 to receive dCBT-I and 853 to receive patient education). At 9-week follow-up, 584 (67%) participants in the dCBT-I group and 534 (63%) in the patient education group completed the ISI assessment. The latent growth model showed that participants in the dCBT-I group had a significantly greater reduction in ISI scores from baseline to 9-week follow-up (10·4 [6·2]) than those in the patient education group (from 19·6 [4·0] to 15·2 [5·3]; estimated mean difference -4·7. Compared with patient education, the number needed to treat with dCBT-I was 2·7 for treatment response (ISI score reduction ≥8) and 3·2 (2·8 to 3·8) for insomnia remission (ISI score <8). No adverse events were reported to the trial team.

Source ScienceDirect