A recent study has found that treating insomnia can also improve symptoms of depression, with participants reporting benefits for both conditions. The research, led by Vanika Lall, alongside clinical associate professor Melissa Ree and emeritus professor Romola Bucks from The University of Western Australia’s School of Psychological Science, was published in *Behaviour Research and Therapy*. It indicates that insomnia therapy may be crucial for achieving lasting recovery from depression.
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Vanika Lall noted that around 90% of individuals with depression experience disturbed sleep. She emphasized that untreated insomnia can exacerbate depression and prolong its duration, while also impairing responses to depression treatments. Addressing insomnia may reduce the risk of recurrent depression, since standard depression treatments do not always fully resolve sleep issues.
The study, called the Sleep Well for Mood study, involved participants who were struggling with both depression and poor sleep. They received cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), a structured short-term treatment that addresses unhelpful thoughts and behaviors related to sleep. This included a combination of cognitive therapy, behavioral strategies, and sleep education.
Data from 88 participants was collected before starting the four-week CBT-I program, immediately after treatment, and again at a three-month follow-up. Results showed improvements in insomnia symptoms along with a decrease in negative thinking, reduced worries about sleep, and increased engagement in meaningful activities, including physical and social interactions.
Lall remarked that negative thinking and inactivity contribute to depression, and suggested that CBT-I represents a practical and cost-effective solution to address both insomnia and depression simultaneously, potentially transforming depression care and fostering long-term recovery for many individuals.
The study was published on October 12, 2026, under the title "Cognitive and behavioural factors associated with improvements in depression outcomes among individuals attending CBT for insomnia." The full citation is available in the journal *Behaviour Research and Therapy*.