Study Links Insomnia Treatment to Reduced Depression Symptoms

The study, led by Vanika Lall, 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 essential for long-term recovery from depression.

Ms. Lall noted that up to nine in ten individuals with depression experience disturbed sleep. She explained that insomnia can exacerbate depression and prolong its duration while diminishing the effectiveness of depression treatments. Leaving insomnia untreated increases the likelihood of recurrent depression, and although depression treatments can sometimes improve insomnia, they often do not fully resolve the issue.

The Sleep Well for Mood study involved individuals experiencing both depression and poor sleep who received cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). This structured, short-term treatment addresses unhelpful thoughts and behaviors associated with sleep issues, combining cognitive therapy, behavioral strategies, and sleep education.

Data was collected from 88 participants who underwent a four-week CBT-I program, with assessments conducted before the treatment, immediately after, and three months later. Following the treatment, participants exhibited enhancements in insomnia symptoms as well as reductions in negative thoughts about daily activities, fewer worries about sleep, and greater involvement in meaningful physical and social activities.

Ms. Lall stated that negative thinking and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to depression. The findings suggest that CBT-I serves as a time- and cost-effective method for simultaneously treating insomnia and depression, addressing core factors of depression in practical environments. This study implies that increasing the adoption of CBT-I could revolutionize depression care, enabling more individuals to attain long-term recovery while alleviating the strain of recurring depression on healthcare systems.