Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults

A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity by UCLA Health researchers indicates that older adults receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia are more likely to see improvements in their insomnia symptoms and experience a reduced rate of biological aging compared to those who received sleep education.

Dr. Judith Carroll, the study's lead author and an associate professor of psychiatry at UCLA Health, emphasized that while insomnia in older adults is often treated as a quality-of-life issue, these findings suggest it may also represent a modifiable risk factor affecting the aging process. She stated that just as patients are advised on diet and exercise for healthy aging, sleep should also be prioritized as a critical factor.

Insomnia affects between 10% and 25% of U.S. adults over 65. Previous research has linked insomnia to accelerated biological aging, assessed through DNA methylation, which is connected to a higher risk of diseases related to aging, such as cardiovascular issues and diabetes, and ultimately increased mortality risks.

In this randomized controlled trial, nearly 100 older adults with insomnia were divided into two groups: one received CBT specifically targeting thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate insomnia, while the other received sleep education focused on general sleep information without behavioral therapies. Blood samples were collected before the eight-week treatment period and at follow-up over two years to evaluate biological aging using three epigenetic aging calculators: DunedinPACE, GrimAge, and PC-PhenoAge.

The results indicated that those undergoing CBT had nearly three times the likelihood of achieving remission from insomnia compared to the sleep education group. Furthermore, CBT was associated with a significant reduction in the pace of biological aging, particularly as measured by the DunedinPACE clock.

The researchers acknowledged study limitations, including the fact that participants were drawn from a single site in Los Angeles and noted the necessity for a larger, multisite study with more diverse demographics. They also suggested further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of other insomnia treatments, such as medication or Tai Chi, on aging outcomes.

The study is detailed in Judith E. Carroll et al.'s paper, titled "Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and epigenetic ageing: secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial," published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.