Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia as the Entry of the Stepped-Care Model in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Diverse low-intensity interventions are available as the entry points in the stepped-care model for insomnia. The study aims to compare a single-session cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) workshop, self-help CBTI and sleep hygiene education (SHE) workshop among adults with insomnia in the community, in terms of insomnia severity, anxiety and depressive symptoms, the quality of life, treatment adherence and credibility.

Participants: Two-hundred-and-ten Hong Kong adults with DSM-5 defined insomnia disorder for at least one month were recruited in the community.

Methods: A three-arm-parallel, active-treatment-controlled and assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was performed. Participants were block-randomized to the half-day CBTI workshop, self-help Internet-delivered CBTI and half-day SHE workshop groups evenly. Eight-week and 16-week post-baseline follow-ups were conducted. The primary outcome measure was the Insomnia Severity Index whereas the secondary measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Short-Form Six-Dimension Health Survey, treatment adherence and credibility.

Results: All arms demonstrated a significant treatment effect on insomnia severity, anxiety and depressive symptoms and the quality of life. However, there was no difference between arms. Treatment adherence did not vary among the three groups, but treatment credibility of the self-help group dropped whereas that of the CBTI workshop group rose after interventions (p = .037).

Conclusions: Despite the lack of between-group differences, self-help CBTI can be considered as the preferred entry point of the stepped-care model for insomnia. It demonstrates comparable efficacy and adherence rate to the workshop-based interventions, and is highly accessible and convenient with few resources required.