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Treating Primary Insomnia: Clinical Effectiveness and Predictors of Outcomes on Sleep, Daytime Function and Health-Related Quality of Life

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Abstract

Primary insomnia, as defined by DSM-IV-TR, refers to a persistent sleep disturbance which is not connected to a current psychiatric or physical condition, but significantly impairs social and occupational functioning. This study explored the impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) on sleep, daytime functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Next, we investigated which factors predicted positive treatment outcome by examining demographics, insomnia characteristics, baseline levels of daytime function, HRQoL, sleep-disruptive beliefs and psychological health on post-treatment sleep quality, daytime function and HRQoL. 138 consecutive primary insomnia patients completed questionnaires pre- and post-treatment and at 6 months follow-up. After CBT-i, robust clinical improvements were observed in sleep, daytime function and HRQoL, regardless of age, gender, type or duration of the complaint. Patients with pre-treatment severe insomnia, pronounced daytime impairment and low psychological well-being benefited most.

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No conflict of interest was declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Leuven University Centre for Sleep/Wake Disturbances, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    L. Van Houdenhove

  2. Department of Pulmonology, Leuven University Centre for Sleep/Wake Disturbances, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    B. Buyse

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Leuven University Centre for Sleep/Wake Disturbances, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    L. Gabriëls

  4. Department of Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    O. Van den Bergh

Authors
  1. L. Van Houdenhove
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  2. B. Buyse
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  3. L. Gabriëls
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  4. O. Van den Bergh
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Correspondence to L. Van Houdenhove.

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A statement of formal agreement was obtained by the Ethical Committee of the University Hospitals of Leuven.

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Van Houdenhove, L., Buyse, B., Gabriëls, L. et al. Treating Primary Insomnia: Clinical Effectiveness and Predictors of Outcomes on Sleep, Daytime Function and Health-Related Quality of Life. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 18, 312–321 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9250-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9250-7

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