Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid rise in insomnia, affecting 47% to 189% more people than pre-pandemic rates, and resulting in reduced work productivity and quality of life. Investigators conducted a 6-month retrospective cohort study collecting longitudinal data from 4052 people from China using a mobile app to examine the effectiveness of 3 treatment modalities including digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I), medication therapy, or a combination of the two (according to prescriptions) as measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores.
Both dCBT-I (P<.001) and combination therapy (P<.001) significantly reduced the PSQI score more than medication alone, with dCBT-I showing comparable effects to combination therapy but with unstable durability. dCBT-I and combination therapy response rates were higher vs with medication, and dCBT-I had a steady and rapid improvement during the first 3 months but then fluctuated. Although dCBT-I alone had a comparable effect to combination therapy (P=NS), it improved steadily and rapidly during the first 3 months, and then fluctuated. Changes in secondary outcomes also indicated statistically considerable benefits from dCBT-I and combination therapy.
Reference: Lu M, Zhang Y, Zhang J, et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Medication Therapy Among Patients With Insomnia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(4):e237597. Published 2023 Apr 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.7597
Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2803668
