Online Therapy for Insomnia Reduces Depression

Feel like sleeping

“If only I could get a good night’s sleep my mood would be much better.”

Many people who suffer from chronic depression are aware of the relationship between the quality of their sleep and their levels of mood and anxiety.

A study published in the April 2016 addition of the British journal, Lancet Psychiatry, supports this view.

1100 internet users (aged 18–64 years) with insomnia and depression symptoms who did not meet criteria for major depression were randomly assigned to receive SHUTi, a 6 week, online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia program, or HealthWatch, an interactive internet-based placebo control program.

As you can see in the graph on the right, the SHUTi program was associated with a SHUTi Reduces Depression on PHQ9.jpgsignificant and rapid reduction in symptoms of depression as measured using a standard rating scale, the PHQ-9.

Scores on the PHQ-9 were reduced by 50% by week 5 of the program. And these scores remained at that same level for the full 25 weeks of follow up. Confirming our experience with the SHUTi program: it is effective at improving sleep long after the user completes the program.

The SHUTi program was associated with reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

If you are interested in trying this program you can sign up using this link.

For More Information

Best Treatment for Chronic Insomnia

Insomnia Treatment Reduces Brain Stress

Internet Therapies Generate Interest

Sleep Therapy and Depression

References

Christensen H, Batterham PJ, Gosling JA, Ritterband LM, Griffiths KM, Thorndike FP, Glozier N, O’Dea B, Hickie IB, Mackinnon AJ. Effectiveness of an online insomnia program (SHUTi) for prevention of depressive episodes (the GoodNight Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016 Apr;3(4):333-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00536-2. Epub 2016 Jan 28. PubMed PMID: 26827250.