A study from UCLA Health has revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia may help reduce biological aging in older adults. Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the research indicates that older adults undergoing CBT for insomnia experienced higher rates of insomnia remission and a slower pace of biological aging compared to a control group receiving sleep education.
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Dr. Judith Carroll, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of psychiatry at UCLA Health, stated that insomnia in older adults is frequently addressed as a quality-of-life issue. However, this study suggests it could also be an adjustable risk factor in biological aging. Carroll emphasized that just as physicians advise patients on diet and exercise for healthy aging, sleep should be considered an important aspect for health improvement.
In the U.S., between 10-25% of adults over 65 suffer from clinical insomnia. Prior research has linked insomnia to accelerated biological aging, measured by changes in DNA methylation, which can heighten the risk of age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The randomized controlled trial involved nearly 100 older adults experiencing insomnia, who were assigned to one of two treatments: CBT or sleep education therapy. CBT focuses on modifying the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia, typically conducted over several sessions with a trained clinician. Sleep education therapy provides general information about sleep and healthy sleep habits without employing behavioral strategies.
Blood samples were collected before the 8-week treatment started and again at follow-up appointments over two years. Researchers analyzed the DNA from these samples to assess biological aging using three epigenetic clocks: DunedinPACE, GrimAge, and PC-PhenoAge. Findings revealed that those receiving CBT had nearly three times the likelihood of achieving insomnia remission compared to the sleep education group. Furthermore, the pace of aging was significantly slowed as indicated by the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock.
The study has noted limitations, including its single-site location in Los Angeles. The authors suggest further research involving a larger, more diverse population to confirm these results, and additional studies to explore treatment differences based on sex and the potential impact of other insomnia interventions, like medication or Tai Chi.