Sleep compression and sleep education for older insomniacs: self-help versus therapist guidance

Abstract

A treatment package consisting of a bed-time restriction strategy and education was administered to 50 insomniacs and 50 noninsomniacs 60 years or older. Half of the insomniacs and noninsomniacs received treatment through a self-help video only, whereas the remaining treated participants received therapist guidance to supplement the video. A waiting-list control group of 25 senior insomniacs was also included. Sleep knowledge was equivalent for senior insomniacs and noninsomniacs. The self-help insomniac group exhibited improvement on multiple sleep variables, but the addition of therapist guidance appeared to enhance treatment outcome for sleep latency, wake time after sleep onset, and sleep satisfaction. Control participants also improved across time but were generally outperformed by treated insomniacs.