Monday, June 8, 2009

Trouble Sleeping? Online Therapy Could be the Answer

According to a study in the June 1 issue of the journal Sleep, chronic insomniacs who took part in online cognitive behavioral therapy, reported getting a better night's sleep than those who didn't take part in the therapy.

MedicineNet.com reports the cognitive behavioral therapy included education about sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques and tips for stilling an overactive mind.

Half of the participants were given access to audiovisual clips that provided information about ways to combat insomnia. The others were put on a waiting list and asked not to seek treatment in the meantime.

After five weeks, 81 percent of those being treated reported at least mild improvement in their sleep.

About 30 percent of the participants in the study said they got an additional hour of sleep by the end of the program. Those who'd received treatment also developed healthier attitudes about sleep and were less likely to report having an overactive mind at bedtime.

No comments:

Post a Comment