The European Insomnia Guideline: An update on the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia 2023

Is sleep compression therapy non-inferior to sleep restriction therapy? A single blind randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing sleep compression therapy to sleep restriction therapy as treatment for insomnia

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Insomnia disorder, affecting 10% of the population, poses a significant public health concern and is a risk-factor for many health issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy is first-choice treatment, but the key component - sleep restriction therapy - presents with side effects and adherence challenges. Sleep compression therapy, suggested as a potentially gentler alternative, has never been directly compared to sleep restriction therapy.

METHODS

Single-blind trial at the Internet psychiatry clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. Patients with insomnia disorder randomized 1:1 to evaluate non-inferiority of sleep compression therapy to sleep restriction therapy in improving insomnia, and to compare important clinical aspects. Primary outcome: self-reported Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), assessed pre-treatment, week 1-5, and week ten. Non-inferiority analysis based on intent-to-treat analyses with multiple imputation and mixed effects models.

RESULTS

Adults with insomnia (n=234; mean age 44.3 (SD 13.7) years, 173 (73.4%) female) received treatment as a ten-week highly structured, therapist-guided online program, to strengthen experimental integrity and treatment fidelity. Both treatments improved insomnia severity with large effects. Sleep compression therapy failed to show non-inferiority with a conservative limit of 1.6 ISI-points (CI-95% -0.01 - 1.70), gave statistically significantly smaller improvements (p = .006) and was associated with slower improvements despite better adherence and somewhat less side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This direct comparison and well-controlled trial provide empirically based support for clinicians to prioritize sleep restriction therapy over sleep compression therapy, while the latter can be a valid alternative when sleep restriction therapy cannot be used.

Medical cannabis for the treatment of insomnia

OBJECTIVES

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of medical cannabis on adults with insomnia.

Clinical practice guidelines for switching or deprescribing hypnotic medications for chronic insomnia: Results of European neuropsychopharmacology and sleep expert's consensus group

INTRODUCTION

Current guidelines recommend cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. Pharmacological recommendations by European guidelines for the treatment of insomnia disorder include positive GABAergic modulators such as short and medium acting benzodiazepines and "Z-drugs" (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone), dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs; daridorexant), melatonin receptor agonists (melatonin 2 mg prolonged release - PR). Given the chronic nature of insomnia, the presence of non-responders to some treatments it is often necessary switching between various therapeutic approaches and medications. However, clear guidance regarding safe and effective protocols for switching these medications currently lacks in Europe.

METHOD

To address this gap, we used the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness to evaluate the appropriateness of procedures for switching medications prescribed for insomnia disorder. Following a systematic review of the literature conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, we then formulated some recommendations.

RESULTS

Twenty-one papers were selected.

CONCLUSIONS

Discontinuation of Hypnotic Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs should be gradual, with dose reductions of 10-25 % each week. Multi-component CBT-I, daridorexant, eszopiclone, and melatonin 2 mg PR were shown to facilitate the gradual discontinuation of hypnotic benzodiazepines/Z-drugs within a cross-tapered program, which can be delayed when necessary. Finally, daridorexant and melatonin 2 mg PR do not require special switching or deprescribing protocols. Several sedative-hypnotic dosage reduction algorithms are proposed in this work for clinical use in real world settings.

Profiling the sleep architecture of ageing adults using a seven-state continuous-time Markov model

Sleep is a complex biological process regulated by networks of neurons and environmental factors. As one falls asleep, neurotransmitters from sleep-wake regulating neurones work in synergy to control the switching of different sleep states throughout the night. As sleep disorders or underlying neuropathology can manifest as irregular switching, analysing these patterns is crucial in sleep medicine and neuroscience. While hypnograms represent the switching of sleep states well, current analyses of hypnograms often rely on oversimplified temporal descriptive statistics (TDS, e.g., total time spent in a sleep state), which miss the opportunity to study the sleep state switching by overlooking the complex structures of hypnograms. In this paper, we propose analysing sleep hypnograms using a seven-state continuous-time Markov model (CTMM). This proposed model leverages the CTMM to depict the time-varying sleep-state transitions, and probes three types of insomnia by distinguishing three types of wake states. Fitting the proposed model to data from 2056 ageing adults in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Sleep study, we profiled sleep architectures in this population and identified the various associations between the sleep state transitions and demographic factors and subjective sleep questions. Ageing, sex, and race all show distinctive patterns of sleep state transitions. Furthermore, we also found that the perception of insomnia and restless sleep are significantly associated with critical transitions in the sleep architecture. By incorporating three wake states in a continuous-time Markov model, our proposed method reveals interesting insights into the relationships between objective hypnogram data and subjective sleep quality assessments.

Therapeutic Effect of Yu Melody Relaxation Training Combined with Jianpi Jieyu Decoction in Insomnia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yu Melody relaxation training (YMRT) combined with Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) in treating patients with insomnia disorders (ID).

METHODS

In this randomized controlled study, 94 ID patients were included from Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2022 to January 2024. They were randomly assigned to the YMRT group (47 cases, YMRT plus JJD) and the control group (47 cases, oral JJD) using a random number table. Both treatment administrations lasted for 4 weeks, with a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline to 4 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes included ISI response at week 4, as well as ISI, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Additionally, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated at baseline and weeks 4 and 6. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Five patients in each group did not complete the protocol requirements. The overall dropout rate was 10.64%. The full analysis set included all 47 cases in each group. The ISI score decreased significantly at week 4 from baseline in the YMRT group compared with the control group, with a between-group difference of -3.2 points [95% confidence interval (CI): -5.08 to -1.34; P<0.05]. The ISI response at week 4 in the YMRT group was significantly higher than that in the control group (85.11% vs. 51.06%), with a between-group difference of 34.05% (95% CI: 13.77% to 50.97%; P<0.05). At week 6, the YMRT group demonstrated greater reductions from baseline than the control group, with between-group differences of -2.1 points (-95% CI: -3.49 to -0.64; P<0.05) for PHQ-9 scores, -3.5 points (95% CI: -5.21 to -1.85; P<0.05) for PSQI scores, and -1.9 points (95% CI: -3.47 to -0.28; P<0.05) for GAD-7 scores. Moreover, at weeks 4 and 6, the ISI and PSQI scores in the YMRT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); and at week 6, the PHQ-9 score in the YMRT group was significantly lower (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of AEs between the two groups (8.51% vs. 4.26%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

YMRT combined with oral JJD could improve sleep quality and alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with ID. This combined therapy was effective and safe, and its effect was superior to oral JJD alone. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063884).

Sleep alterations in major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder: A network meta-analysis of polysomnographic studies

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and Insomnia disorder (ID) are characterized by sleep alterations. To define their polysomnographic profiles, we conducted a Network Meta-Analysis comparing MDD and ID patients versus healthy controls (HCs). The literature search, conducted from 2008 up to January 2023 and following PRISMA guidelines, covered PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. We addressed publication bias using funnel plot asymmetry inspection and Egger's test, evaluated statistical heterogeneity with I2, and local and global inconsistencies with the separate indirect from direct evidence method and Q between designs, respectively. Pairwise meta-analyses employed a fixed-effects model, while network analysis utilized a random-effect approach. We evaluated 86 ID and 17 MDD studies, comparing sleep parameters for 636 MDDs versus 491 HCs, and 3661 IDs versus 2792 HCs. The network meta-analysis reported that patients with MDD have greater rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration and REMs density, and lower REM sleep latency compared to IDs. ID patients instead exhibited lower total sleep time and time in bed, and greater wake after sleep onset and non-REM sleep stage 3 than MDD patients. This work emphasized sleep depth and continuity alterations in both MDD and ID, with major involvement of REM sleep in MDD.

The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive flexibility among undergraduates with insomnia symptoms: A prospective, single-blind, randomized control trial

Backgrounds

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) has been widely used in the treatment of insomnia, but there is a lack of research on whether this method could enhance the cognitive flexibility(CF) of individuals with insomnia symptoms.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of rTMS on the CF of undergraduates with insomnia symptoms.

Methods

29 participants were randomly assigned into Active group(n = 15) and Sham group(n = 14), receiving 1 Hz rTMS interventions targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 2 weeks, comprising 10 sessions (active vs sham stimulation). Sleep quality and CF were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index(ISI), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), and the Number-Letter Task (N-L task) at baseline(T0), post-intervention(T1), and 8 weeks' follow-up(T2), and event-related potential(ERP) data during the N-L task were recorded.

Results

Following the intervention, compared to the Sham group, the ISI and PSQI scores in the Active group were significantly decreased, and the CFI score was significantly increased (P < 0.01); the results of the N-L task indicated that at T1, the switch cost of reaction time and accuracy for the Sham group were significantly higher than those for the Active group(P < 0.05). ERP analysis indicated that at T2, under switch conditions, the amplitude of the frontal area P2 in the Active group was significantly greater than that in the Sham group, and the beta-band ERD at parietal region in the Active group was significantly lower than that in the Sham group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

rTMS could improve sleep quality and enhance the CF of undergraduates with insomnia symptoms.

Clinical Trials Registration

The effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive flexibility in college students with insomnia (ChiCTR2400081263) URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=202951.

Chronic insomnia, REM sleep instability and emotional dysregulation: A pathway to anxiety and depression?

The world-wide prevalence of insomnia disorder reaches up to 10% of the adult population. Women are more often afflicted than men, and insomnia disorder is a risk factor for somatic and mental illness, especially depression and anxiety disorders. Persistent hyperarousals at the cognitive, emotional, cortical and/or physiological levels are central to most theories regarding the pathophysiology of insomnia. Of the defining features of insomnia disorder, the discrepancy between minor objective polysomnographic alterations of sleep continuity and substantive subjective impairment in insomnia disorder remains enigmatic. Microstructural alterations, especially in rapid eye movement sleep ("rapid eye movement sleep instability"), might explain this mismatch between subjective and objective findings. As rapid eye movement sleep represents the most highly aroused brain state during sleep, it might be particularly prone to fragmentation in individuals with persistent hyperarousal. In consequence, mentation during rapid eye movement sleep may be toned more as conscious-like wake experience, reflecting pre-sleep concerns. It is suggested that this instability of rapid eye movement sleep is involved in the mismatch between subjective and objective measures of sleep in insomnia disorder. Furthermore, as rapid eye movement sleep has been linked in previous works to emotional processing, rapid eye movement sleep instability could play a central role in the close association between insomnia and depressive and anxiety disorders.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Insomnia is prevalent among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), potentially undermining treatment and increasing the risk of relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia, but its efficacy is not well-characterized in patients across the spectrum of AUD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effectiveness of CBT-I in improving insomnia severity and alcohol-related outcomes in adults with heavy alcohol use and/or varying levels of AUD severity and comorbid insomnia. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched (up to February 2024) to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Multilevel meta-analyses were conducted to estimate mean differences over time in insomnia severity, measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), as well as in alcohol craving and alcohol-related psychosocial problems between CBT-I and control groups. For the number of heavy-drinking/abstinent days, incidence rate ratios were estimated. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Eight RCTs encompassing 426 adults (68.78 % men) were included. Compared with control conditions, CBT-I resulted in a large reduction of insomnia severity post-treatment [estimated ISI reduction = -5.51, 95% CI (-7.13 to -3.90)], which was maintained at 1-to-3-month [7 studies; estimate = -4.39, 95% CI (-6.08 to -2.70)], and 6-month follow-up [4 studies; estimate = -4.55, 95% CI (-6.77 to -2.33)]. Alcohol-related outcomes were reported less consistently, and no significant differences were found. The included trials were judged to have a low or moderate overall risk of bias for the assessment of all outcomes. CBT-I effectively reduces insomnia severity across the spectrum of AUD, supporting wide implementation in AUD prevention and treatment settings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023464612.

Napping during cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia: Friends or foes?

Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia, with one crucial step being the restriction of time spent in bed. This restriction often intensifies early afternoon sleepiness, leading to a natural gateway for a short recuperative nap, which might foster adherence to CBT-I over time. In practice, mental health professionals providing CBT-I lack consensus on whether or not to tolerate short naps during the CBT-I period for requesting patients. In this pilot study, we examined the effects of authorised napping on CBT-I efficiency in patients with insomnia (a napping group was compared with a matched non-napping group, n = 108). We report that napping enhanced early afternoon alertness and importantly did not affect CBT-I-mediated improvements in the Insomnia Severity Index and Beck Depression Inventory-2 and in self-reported sleep efficiency, latency, and wake after sleep onset (assessed by the sleep diaries). Further investigations using objective methods of sleep assessments are now needed to confirm that napping behaviour does not compromise the improvements enabled by CBT-I and may even strengthen adherence to the treatment.

Feasibility and usability of three consecutive nights with self-applied, home polysomnography

In-laboratory polysomnography, the gold-standard for diagnosing sleep disorders, is resource-demanding and not conducive to multiple night evaluations. Ambulatory polysomnography, especially when self-applied, could be a viable alternative. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of self-applied polysomnography over three consecutive nights in untrained participants, assessing: technical success rate; comparing sleep diagnostic variables from single and multiple nights; and evaluating participants' subjective experience. Data were collected from 78 participants (55.1% females) invited to test a self-applicable polysomnography device for three consecutive nights at home. The technical success rate for valid sleep recordings was 82.5% out of 234 planned study nights, with 87.2% of participants obtaining at least two valid nights. Misclassification of obstructive sleep apnea severity was higher in participants with mild OSA (21.4%) compared with those with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea or no obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset showed improvement from Night 1 to Night 3 (p < 0.001), and the mean polysomnography set-up time decreased significantly over this period. Participants reported moderate-to-high satisfaction with the device (System Usability Scale score 71.2 ± 12.4). The findings suggest that self-applied polysomnography is a feasible diagnostic method for untrained individuals at risk for sleep disorders, and that multiple night assessments can improve diagnostic precision for mild obstructive sleep apnea cases.

Mechanistic study of electroacupuncture in the treatment of insomnia: study protocol for a clinical trial of serum metabolomics based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS

Background

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide. Electroacupuncture is effective in improving sleep quality, daytime fatigue status, and anxiety and depression in patients with insomnia, and this study aimed to investigate the metabolic pathways and their possible mechanisms in response to the efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of insomnia.

Methods

A single-center, double-blind, clinical trial was the study's design. For this study, a total of 99 participants were enrolled, and they will be split into two groups: one for insomnia and the other for health. There are 33 healthy people in the healthy group and 66 insomnia patients in the insomnia group. Acupuncture treatment will be administered to the intervention group three times a week for four weeks, for a total of twelve treatments, and will be followed up for 3 months. A combination of UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS was used to qualitatively and quantitatively examine the serum of 99 participants. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and serum metabolomics provided the primary findings. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Hyperarousal Scale (HAS), Fatigue Feverity Scale (FSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Sleep Diary and The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were the secondary outcomes. For the insomnia group, serum will be collected at baseline, at the end of treatment, and the scale will be collected at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at 3 months of follow-up. For the healthy group, serum will be collected at baseline.

Discussion

This study aimed to assess the modulatory effects of electroacupuncture on relevant metabolic markers using serum metabolomics, to explore the potential mechanisms and relevant metabolic pathways of electroacupuncture for the treatment of insomnia, and to provide strong scientific evidence for the treatment of insomnia by electroacupuncture.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2400085660 (China Clinical Trial Registry, http://www.chictr.org.cn, registered on June 14, 2024).

Comparison of efficacy and safety of dual orexin receptor antagonists lemborexant and daridorexant for the treatment of insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of lemborexant (LEM) and daridorexant (DAR) for the treatment of insomnia, including the difference in efficacy and safety.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of LEM and DAR in patients with insomnia in five databases from database inception to Mar 16, 2024. We evaluate the quality of studies. Besides, we perform the meta-analysis and detect publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 8 RCTs with 5077 patients were included in this study, including 2239 in the LEM treatment group, 1397 in the DAR treatment group, and 1441 in the placebo (PBO) control group. Both LEM and DAR significantly improved sleep outcomes compared to placebo. LEM was more effective in reducing the time of wake after sleep onset (WASO) (MD, -45.15; 95% CI: -51.75 to -38.56; P < 0.001) and improving subjective sleep onset latency (sSOL) (MD, -25.01; 95% CI: -28.58 to -21.44; P < 0.001) than DAR (WASO: MD: -12.6; 95% CI: -18.71 to -6.5; P < 0.001; sSOL: MD, -2.33; 95% CI: -7.1 to 2.45; P = 0.24). In terms of dosing, DAR at 50 mg demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the 5 mg, 10 mg, and 25 mg doses, indicating a dose-dependent effect. The efficacy of LEM was consistent across the 5 mg and 10 mg doses. Safety profiles revealed that DAR (RR, 1.16; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.29; P = 0.01) treatment was associated with higher rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) compared to placebo, particularly at the 25 mg dose (RR, 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.31; P = 0.03), while LEM (RR, 1.21; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.50; P = 0.08) showed no significant difference in TEAEs rates compared to placebo. However, LEM (RR, 5.62; 95% CI: 2.92 to 10.83; P < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of somnolence compared to DAR (RR, 1.55; 95% CI: 0.86 to 2.81; P = 0.15). The overall quality of the included studies was moderate to high based on the risk of bias assessment.

CONCLUSION

Both LEM and DAR are effective and generally safe options for the treatment of insomnia, with LEM showing greater efficacy in improving WASO and sSOL. The choice between LEM and DAR should consider individual patient needs, including the risk of daytime drowsiness and other adverse events. Further direct comparative trials are needed to confirm these findings and inform clinical decision-making.

Efficacy and safety of each class of sleep medication for major depressive disorder with insomnia symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials

Combination therapy with antidepressants and sleep medications is a promising candidate treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) with insomnia. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with antidepressants and sleep medication for treating MDD with insomnia compared to antidepressant monotherapy by sleep medication class (benzodiazepine, Z-drug, melatonin receptor agonist, and orexin receptor antagonist). This study was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42025636571). PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase were searched for double-blind randomized controlled trials published until June 2024, resulting in eight eligible studies (1945 participants; eszopiclone = 4, zolpidem = 2, triazolam = 1, ramelteon = 1). Meta-analyses were performed based on six trials of Z-drugs. Compared with antidepressant monotherapy, combination therapy with antidepressants and Z-drugs resulted in higher remission rates from depressive symptoms (risk ratio: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.45, P = 0.003), greater improvement in depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.01-0.33, P = 0.04) and insomnia symptoms (SMD: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.59, P < 0.001) in the short-term (within 12 weeks), with no difference in safety outcomes except for dizziness. Combination therapy with antidepressants and Z-drugs may be more useful for MDD with insomnia symptoms than antidepressant monotherapy in the short term. However, this study did not evaluate the benefits and harms of long-term adjunctive Z-drug therapy. Further long-term studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with antidepressants and Z-drugs. Moreover, further research is warranted to assess whether the findings of this study are applicable to other sleep medication classes.

Sleep Health and Psychological Wellbeing in Adult Women: A Specific Focus on Endometriosis-A Survey Study

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, oestrogen-sensitive inflammatory disease, which can have a significant impact on women's wellbeing. Nevertheless, the sleep health of this population has been poorly investigated. This exploratory study aimed at describing sleep health, psychological wellbeing, and prevalence of endometriosis among a sample of female students and at evaluating the impact of endometriosis on sleep health and psychological wellbeing in women suffering from the disease. Methods: Women were recruited with a two-stage procedure in a cross-sectional study using online questionnaires: Insomnia Severity Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short form. Furthermore, specific questions were used to measure the five dimensions of sleep health: satisfaction, vigilance, efficiency, duration, and timing. Results: In the first stage of the enrolment procedure, 1068 students (18-45 years old) responded to the questionnaire, and 8.7% reported a physician diagnosis of endometriosis. Additionally, in the second stage of the enrolment procedure, 75 women were recruited through social media and reported a diagnosis of endometriosis. Then, all women with endometriosis (169) were age-matched with 169 women without the disease. Multivariate regression analyses showed a bidirectional association between sleep health and psychological wellbeing in the matched sample. Independent samples t-test showed that women with endometriosis reported more severe insomnia symptoms and lower psychological wellbeing than controls. Statistically significant differences were also found in global sleep health and satisfaction, vigilance, and efficiency. Among women with endometriosis, pain and anxiety symptoms were bidirectionally associated, while sleep health was significantly associated with disease stage and psychological difficulties. Conclusions: Considering and treating sleep difficulties in this population may contribute to an improvement in psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

Impact of insomnia: Cultural and societal aspects from a European survey

OBJECTIVES

This European study explored the cultural and societal aspects of chronic insomnia by means of a survey undertaken in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The primary objectives were to understand the impact of insomnia on the daily lives of patients, both personally and professionally, and to evaluate the patients' perceptions and coping strategies thus identifying cultural differences in the management of this disorder.

METHODS

Based on online panels targeting insomnia sufferers, the survey included 755 patients aged 35 to 65 years with moderate to severe insomnia for at least three months, occurring at least three times per week (DSM-5 criteria for insomnia disorder, ISI score 15-28). Topics covered included the impact of insomnia on daily life, strategies for coping and managing insomnia, and patients' perceptions and views of insomnia.

RESULTS

A total of 755 patients completed the questionnaire. Most respondents were women (70%) and between 35 and 49 years of age (50%). About half of the patients (49%) had severe insomnia, with 49% experiencing it for over three years. Nearly 70% did not initially consider their insomnia serious, and 73% believed their condition would improve over time. Stress (39%), difficulty relaxing in the evening (37%), and a rapid flow of thoughts (37%) were identified as the main causes of insomnia. Insomnia was shown to significantly affect daily life, particularly work performance, relationships, and maintaining healthy habits. British patients were the most affected, with 85% reporting decreased work performance. In France, only 51% reported difficulties maintaining relationships. There were 77% of Britons who felt exposed to dangerous situations, such as drowsiness while driving (47%). Coping strategies varied by country but, overall, breathing exercises (43%), meditation (32%), and reducing caffeine intake (44%) were the most popular. Healthcare consultation approaches also varied. French patients consulted general practitioners (89%) but rarely specialists, while Germans consulted sleep specialists (20%) and psychiatrists (19%). Overall, 61% reported that doctors recommended lifestyle changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The survey highlights cultural differences in insomnia perception and management in Europe. Insomnia is often trivialized, thus delaying management. The results underline the need to raise awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the importance of insomnia and its consequences on mental and physical health. Addressing chronic insomnia requires a multifaceted approach that includes cultural sensitivity, patient education, and proactive healthcare engagement. By understanding and integrating these elements, healthcare providers can better support patients to manage their condition, ultimately improving their quality of life.

A randomised crossover trial of daridorexant for the treatment of chronic insomnia and nocturia

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of daridorexant in patients with chronic insomnia and comorbid nocturia. In total, 60 patients aged ≥55 years with insomnia complaints for ≥3 months, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) ≥13 and ≥3 voids/night for ≥1 month were randomised (1:1) to daridorexant 50 mg/placebo for 4 weeks followed by crossover after a 14-21-day washout period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to Week (W) 4 in self-reported total sleep time (sTST). Other endpoints included change in ISI score, sleep depth and quality (visual analogue scale scores), nocturnal voids (mean number, time to first) and daytime functioning (Insomnia Daytime Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire score [IDSIQ]). At W4, daridorexant significantly increased sTST versus placebo (least-squares mean difference [LSMD] 20.9 min, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.0-33.7; p = 0.002); significant improvements were also seen at W1-3. Compared with placebo, daridorexant significantly decreased (p < 0.001) ISI at both timepoints, W2 (LSMD -3.7, 95% CI -5.1 to -2.3) and W4 (LSMD -3.3, 95% CI -4.7 to -1.8) and significantly improved (p < 0.05) sleep depth (W1, 2, 3, 4), sleep quality (W1, 2, 3) and IDSIQ total score (W1, 3). Daridorexant versus placebo reduced the number of voids (LSMD [95% CI]: W1-0.6 [-0.9 to -0.3], p < 0.001; W4-0.3 [-0.7 to +0.1], p = 0.090) and increased median time to first void (difference to placebo, W1: +31 min, p = 0.0027; W4: +23 min, p = 0.2026). No adverse events of special interest (falls/urinary incontinence) were reported during daridorexant treatment. In conclusion, in patients with chronic insomnia and nocturia, daridorexant improves both conditions with a favourable safety profile.

A continuous approach to explain insomnia and subjective-objective sleep discrepancy

Understanding insomnia is crucial for improving its diagnosis and treatment. However, many subjective complaints about insomnia do not align with objective measures of sleep quality, as is the case in subjective-objective sleep discrepancy (SOSD). We address this discrepancy by measuring sleep intrusions and instability in polysomnographic recordings from a large clinical database. Using machine learning, we develop personalized models to infer hypnodensities-a continuous and probabilistic measure of sleep dynamics-, and analyze them via information theory to measure intrusions and instability in a principled way. We find that insomnia with SOSD involves sleep intrusions during intra-sleep wakefulness, while insomnia without SOSD shows wake intrusions during sleep, indicating distinct etiologies. By mapping these metrics to standard sleep features, we provide a continuous and interpretable framework for measuring sleep quality. This approach integrates and values subjective insomnia complaints with physiological data for a more accurate view of sleep quality and its disorders.

Insomnia in ambulatory care: A clinical review

PURPOSE

One-third to one-half of ambulatory care patients report insomnia. The objective of this clinical review is to detail the many causes and evidence-based treatment options for insomnia in outpatients and to recommend screening and summarize evidence for the place in therapy of prescription and nonprescription treatments.

SUMMARY

This work provides an overview of the literature on insomnia regarding causes, patient assessment, and nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments. Patients who present with insomnia should be assessed for sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and all contributing medications as well as medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorder diagnoses. The type of insomnia, namely difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening with resulting functional impairment, should be documented in addition to whether insomnia is short term or persistent. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or digital CBT-I is first-line treatment for all patients with insomnia irrespective of the cause or type. Nonprescription treatments such as antihistamines or melatonin are for select populations. Prescription hypnotics are best utilized on an as-needed basis or for nightly use for less than 6 weeks. Z-hypnotics are safe and effective for insomnia in persons with depression or an anxiety disorder but should be avoided in older individuals or if there is respiratory or cognitive impairment. Orexin receptor antagonists are effective for sleep initiation and maintenance in healthy persons or if there is mild cognitive impairment, but they require further study in individuals with psychiatric and medical diagnoses. Trazodone is the most prescribed off-label treatment due to its efficacy for sleep initiation and maintenance and its lack of abuse potential.

CONCLUSION

Insomnia treatment should be guided by patient age, diagnoses, and type of insomnia. Pharmacological treatments should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration of time.

A Preliminary Report on the Effects of Daridorexant in Patients with Comorbid Insomnia and Substance Use Disorders

Background. Sleep disturbances are frequent in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and are associated with craving and addiction relapses, leading to increased clinical severity and detrimental outcomes. Daridorexant, a selective dual orexin receptor antagonist, has been approved for persistent insomnia disorder (ID), but specific insights on patients with SUDs are lacking. Methods. This observational, retrospective study investigated the effects of a three-month treatment with daridorexant (50 mg/day) in 41 outpatients with comorbid IDs and SUDs. Improvement in subjective sleep measures, assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and subjective total sleep time, was the primary outcome measure. Changes in anxiety and depression symptoms, quality of life, clinical global severity, and craving were also investigated through the following: Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale; Five-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index; Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale; Visual Analog Scale for Craving. Results. All sleep outcomes significantly improved throughout treatment, which was generally safe and well tolerated, with mild and transient drowsiness and sluggishness reported in 21.1% of patients. Similar improvements were observed in psychopathology, quality of life, and craving, and positive correlations were found among ISI scores and anxiety/depression symptoms and craving. An abstinence rate (i.e., absence of any substance use, regardless of the amount, throughout treatment) of 65.8% was also detected at the endpoint. Conclusions. These preliminary findings suggest that daridorexant might represent a promising tool for treating insomnia in patients with SUDs. Identifying interventions effectively targeting insomnia with a good safety/tolerability profile in SUDs is crucial to achieve remission and full functional recovery.

Mirtazapine for chronic insomnia in older adults: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial-the MIRAGE study

BACKGROUND

Mirtazapine promotes sleep by blocking serotonin and histaminergic receptors and is often used off-label to treat chronic insomnia. However, its efficacy remains to be demonstrated in a clinical trial. The MIRAGE study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine in older patients with chronic insomnia.

METHODS

This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in a geriatric outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital. Adults aged 65 years and older with chronic insomnia were included. Sixty participants were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive mirtazapine 7.5 mg or a matching placebo for 28 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score from baseline to 28 days post-treatment. The primary safety endpoints included any adverse events reported during the clinical trial and all adverse events leading to premature discontinuation.

RESULTS

Mirtazapine was superior to placebo on the primary outcome measure, subjective wake after sleep onset, total sleep time and sleep efficiency. After 28 days, the mean change in ISI score was significantly greater in the mirtazapine group (-6.5 [95%CI; -8.3 to -4.8]) compared to the placebo group (-2.9 [95%CI; -4.4 to -1.4]), with a p-value of 0.003. No participant experienced severe adverse events. A total of 6 participants in the mirtazapine group and 1 participant in the placebo group discontinued their treatment due to adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Mirtazapine reduces chronic insomnia symptoms in older people. However, its use may be limited by mild but clinically relevant adverse events. (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05247697).

IMPACT STATEMENT

This is the first randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of Mirtazapine in older adults with chronic insomnia. Our findings show that a 28-day treatment with mirtazapine, compared to placebo, significantly reduces insomnia severity, as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index. Despite the current lack of robust evidence, mirtazapine is widely prescribed by clinicians to treat insomnia in older adults with chronic insomnia. Publishing our study will facilitate the broad dissemination of this critical information, helping clinicians more effectively treat their older patients.

Barriers to Deprescribing Benzodiazepines in Older Adults in a Survey of European Physicians

Importance

The use of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) poses serious health risks to older adults. Although several guidelines recommend deprescribing, implementation in clinical practice remains limited.

Objective

To identify physicians' barriers to and enablers of deprescribing BZRA in adults aged 65 years and older taking a BZRA for sleep problems; to determine factors associated with hospital physicians' intention to deprescribe BZRA and their self-reported routine BZRA deprescribing.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This survey study included hospital physicians and general practitioners (GPs) working across 6 European Countries (Belgium, Greece, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland) between December 2022 and March 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Barriers identification via a 35-item questionnaire based upon the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Responses were categorized as major barriers, moderate barriers, and enablers based on their mean scores. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify background characteristics and TDF-based domains associated with hospital physicians' intention to deprescribe and self-reported routine deprescribing.

Results

Questionnaires from 240 hospital physicians and 96 GPs were analyzed. Most participants were women: 144 (61.0%) hospital physicians and 52 (54.2%) GPs. In terms of experience, the most common reported time in practice was less than 5 years for hospital physicians (76 [31.7%]) and between 10 and 14 years for GPs (35 [36.5%]). Most reported deprescribing BZRA routinely (135 hospital physicians [57.2%] and 66 GPs [72.5%]). Major barriers (and TDF domains) were similar for hospital physicians and GPs across the 6 countries. These barriers included: lack of training (skills), low self-efficacy (beliefs about capabilities), prioritization of other health issues (goals), frustration with the challenges of deprescribing (emotions), insufficient staff and time, absence of local policies (environmental context and resources), and reluctance from patients (social influence). Intention to deprescribe was significantly associated with country, occupation type, and 5 TDF domains: memory, attention, and decision process (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% Ci, 1.22-2.40); social and/or professional role and identity (OR, 5.92; 95% CI, 3.28-11.07); beliefs about capabilities (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.55-3.63); beliefs about consequences (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.61-5.71); and reinforcement (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05-2.15). Routine deprescribing was significantly associated with 3 TDF domains: memory, attention, and decision processes; intentions; and emotions.

Conclusion

In this theory-based survey study of physicians, physicians and general practitioners described numerous barriers to deprescribing BZRA in older adults. Our findings indicate that effective deprescribing efforts require approaches that address both reflective processes (eg, enhancing capability) and impulsive processes (eg, managing emotions).

Drug development in psychiatry: 50 years of failure and how to resuscitate it

The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in the science of medicine. The pharmacological treatments of disorders such as hypertension, immune disorders, and cancer are fundamentally different from those used in the 1970s, and are now more often based on disorder-specific pathologies. The same cannot be said for psychiatric medicines: despite remarkable advances in neuroscience, very few innovative treatments have been developed in this field since the 1970s. For depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and ADHD, pharmacological classes of medicines discovered through serendipity in the 1950s are still used despite hundreds of billions of US dollars being spent on drug discovery attempts based on new neuroscience targets. This Personal View presents my opinion on the reasons innovation in psychiatric treatment has not progressed as well as in other disorders. As a researcher in the field, I offer suggestions as to how this situation must be rectified soon, as by most analyses mental illness is becoming a major health burden globally. Most of my evidence is referenced, but where I have unpublished knowledge gained from consulting with pharmaceutical companies, it is presented as an opinion.

Dimdazenil for the treatment of insomnia: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder affecting approximately 10-20% of adults worldwide. Despite various available treatment modalities, significant gaps remain in improving sleep maintenance and reducing functional impairments.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and synthesize studies on the efficacy and safety of Dimdazenil for the treatment of insomnia.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of multiple databases and websites was conducted to identify published and unpublished trials from inception to July 19, 2024. Due to the limited number of studies available, quantitative data were synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

This synthesis included four randomized controlled trials. The primary efficacy endpoints of these studies met the predetermined criteria for superiority. Dimdazenil significantly improved certain objective and subjective sleep measures in patients with insomnia, including reduced sleep latency and longer total sleep duration. Importantly, these outcomes were achieved without causing significant excessive daytime drowsiness or impairing daytime functionality. Furthermore, Dimdazenil demonstrated a generally acceptable safety profile and was well tolerated. Most evaluation indicators related to withdrawal symptoms, drug residues, and rebound effects did not show significant statistical differences.

LIMITATIONS

The number of included studies and sample sizes were small, and there is a lack of data on the long-term efficacy and safety of Dimdazenil.

CONCLUSIONS

Dimdazenil offers significant benefits in improving sleep onset and maintenance in patients with insomnia. It presents a favorable safety and tolerability profile while preserving daytime functioning. Future studies should extend the duration and scale to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of Dimdazenil across diverse populations.

Nighttime safety of daridorexant: Evaluation of responsiveness to an external noise stimulus, postural stability, walking, and cognitive function

BACKGROUND

Daridorexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder.

AIMS

Investigate the auditory awakening threshold (AAT), postural stability, and cognitive function during the night following evening administration of daridorexant 25 and 50 mg.

METHODS

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 3-way (placebo, 25, 50 mg) crossover study in 36 healthy male and female nonelderly adult and elderly subjects (1:1 sex/age ratio). Four hours after bedtime administration, the AAT was determined, followed by investigation of the main pharmacodynamic endpoint nocturnal postural stability (body sway) as well as functional mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and cognitive function/memory using the Visual Verbal Learning Test (VVLT).

RESULTS

All 36 subjects completed the study. The average AAT was approximately 60 dB across treatments, i.e., there were no differences between daridorexant and placebo. Daridorexant marginally increased body sway by approximately 22%, while it had no clinically meaningful effect on the time to complete the TUG test (⩽1 s increase), and the VVLT (immediate and delayed number of correctly recalled words) showed minimal and clinically not meaningful differences of up to one word, all compared to placebo. Delayed word recognition was not different from placebo. The increase in body sway in the overall population was driven by nonelderly adults, as effects in elderly subjects were similar to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Following bedtime administration, daridorexant maintained the ability to awaken to an external noise stimulus in the middle of the night, allowing subjects to function safely.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT05702177.

Trends in anti-insomnia medication utilization among pediatric patients in nine cities in China: A real-world study (2016-2023)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate prescription patterns of insomnia medications among Chinese children, assess the current status of drug treatment, and offer data to support the guidance of clinical prescribing practices.

METHODS

This study analyzed pediatric prescriptions for insomnia medications from the China Hospital Prescription Analysis Cooperation Project database across nine cities between 2016 and 2023. The analysis focused on demographic characteristics, prescription trends, and frequency of medication use among pediatric insomnia patients. Patterns of combination therapy were also examined.

RESULTS

The number of children receiving insomnia medications increased substantially from 228 in 2016 to 1166 in 2023, representing an approximate 409 % increase. A growing proportion of patients were aged 12-14 years, with female patients outnumbering males by a ratio of 1.50: 1. There was an increased representation of patients from psychiatry and neurology departments. Regarding medication choices, benzodiazepines (BZDs) remained the most commonly prescribed class, though their use showed a declining trend. Similarly, non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists (nBZRAs) demonstrated a downward trend (P > 0.05), while antidepressant prescriptions significantly increased (P < 0.05). The most commonly prescribed medications within each class were alprazolam, zolpidem, trazodone, sertraline, and quetiapine. A significant proportion of patients (37.25 %) received combination therapy, with benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) plus antidepressants being the most common combination.

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of pharmacological interventions for pediatric insomnia in China has risen markedly in recent years. Despite growing concerns about adverse effects, BZDs continue to be the primary therapeutic choice. The increasing prevalence of combination therapy suggests a trend toward more individualized treatment approaches. These findings underscore the importance of careful monitoring and rational prescribing practices in pediatric insomnia management.

Multimodal Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition linked with multiple comorbidities. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, though the gold standard for OSA treatment, often do not address the entirety of the disorder. Various treatment strategies exist to address OSA beyond CPAP, each targeting different OSA aspects. These include managing comorbid sleep disorders, anatomic considerations, endotype-directed therapy, and lifestyle interventions. These comprehensive approaches aim to improve the benefits of treatment, and reduce the complications associated with OSA.

Safety of dual orexin receptor antagonists: a real-world pharmacovigilance study

BACKGROUND

Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) are widely used for treating insomnia. However, real-world data on the adverse events (AEs) induced by DORAs are lacking.

METHODS

Data related to daridorexant, suvorexant, and lemborexant were collected from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System between the first quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2024. Two established signal quantification methods, the reporting odds ratios and proportional reporting ratios, were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 2665 reports on daridorexant (1738, 65.22%), suvorexant (667, 25.03%), and lemborexant (260, 9.75%) were obtained. 24 targeted systems for daridorexant, 24 for suvorexant, and 25 for lemborexant were involved. We analyzed the top 30 preferred terms (PTs) that met both algorithm criteria and identified 69 PTs. The highest signal of strength of PT was sleep paralysis for daridorexant and lemborexant, and abnormal sleep-related event for suvorexant. The most frequent PT was somnolence for lemborexant (30, 11.54%) and insomnia for daridorexant (252, 14.50%) and suvorexant (62, 9.30%) within the top 30 PTs.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of disproportionality signals may prompt increased awareness of toxicities for DORAs. The results of serious reports and dosage of drugs provided supporting evidence for clinicians to manage AEs.

Associations between psychological inflexibility processes, pre-sleep arousal and sleep quality

OBJECTIVES

Psychological inflexibility, the model of psychopathology underlying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), has been linked to a broad range of psychological problems, but its link with sleep quality is not well understood. This study aimed to identify relationships between psychological inflexibility processes (cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance, limited perspective-taking, lack of present moment awareness and inaction) and sleep quality, investigating pre-sleep arousal and anxiety symptomatology as mechanisms mediating these relationships.

DESIGN

A correlational, cross-sectional design was used to test two statistical models.

METHODS

Participants (N = 704) from a general population sample completed an online survey, reporting on sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, anxiety and measures of psychological inflexibility. Data were analysed using correlations and path analyses.

RESULTS

All psychological inflexibility processes were moderate to strongly correlated with sleep quality. Path analysis showed cognitive fusion, lack of present moment awareness and experiential avoidance, mediated by pre-sleep cognitive and somatic arousal, explained 49% of the variance in sleep quality (Model 1). Cognitive fusion via pre-sleep cognitive arousal had the largest effect. Anxiety preceding pre-sleep arousal (Model 2) explained no additional variance, and model fit was poorer than Model 1.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the role of psychological inflexibility processes in disrupting the de-arousal process needed for healthy sleep, supporting evidence for ACT as a treatment for sleep disturbance.

The art of sleep: examining sleep strategies in the general population with a focus on the use of music for sleep

Insomnia is highly prevalent and associated with serious health issues. Despite the negative impact of poor sleep on mind and body, most people do not seek treatment. This study aimed to examine the strategies used to improve sleep in the general population with a particular focus on music. A survey was distributed via Facebook advertisements to Danish adults aged ≥18 years. Among 3667 responders, a representative subsample of 1195 participants was randomly selected based on age and sex. Data analysis involved chi-square tests and logistic regression with adjustments for age, sex, education, and insomnia status. The results showed that nearly all participants utilised strategies to aid their sleep, with the most common strategies being 'following a routine' (73%), 'reducing caffeine in the afternoon/evening' (65%) and 'lowering the temperature in the bedroom' (62%). Individuals with insomnia utilised significantly more strategies (average 8.4 strategies) compared to those without insomnia (average 6.6 strategies). Among all participants, 20% reported using music for sleep at least 1-2 times/month, whereas 11% used music for sleep weekly, and 4.5% used music almost daily. Music users tended to be younger, and they were also more likely to have insomnia. By evaluating 24 different sleep strategies, this study shows that people do several things to promote sleep in their daily lives. These findings enhance our understanding of sleep behaviour, providing an important fundament for targeting future public health interventions to reduce the use of sleep disruptive strategies and promote strategies known to improve sleep health.

Digital CBT for insomnia and emotion regulation in the workplace: a randomised waitlist-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia. However, scaling this proven effective intervention to areas of high need remains a challenge, necessitating sensitive adaptation and evaluation.

METHODS

A randomised waitlist-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a hybrid digital CBT-I and emotion regulation (dCBT-I + ER) intervention delivered through workplaces. Participants with at least mild insomnia and depression or anxiety symptoms were randomised to the intervention or waitlist control groups. The intervention was delivered via a web-based platform and four video-conferencing therapy sessions. Participants tracked their sleep using actigraphy and a sleep diary that was used to pace the intervention delivered. Assessments occurred at baseline and 8 weeks post-randomisation, measuring insomnia, depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, quality of life, and work productivity.

RESULTS

Of the 159 participants (mean age 43.6 ± 9.4 years, 76.7% female, 80.5% white), 80 received the intervention and 79 were in the control group. The intervention group showed significant improvements in insomnia (F1, 134 = 71.46, p < .0001); depression (F1, 134 = 35.67, p < .0001); and anxiety (F1, 134 = 17.63, p < .0001), with large effect sizes (d = 0.7-1.5). Sleep diary data supported these findings, whereas actigraphy data did not. Improvements in psychological well-being were significant (F1, 132.13 = 10.64, p < 0.001), whereas quality of life, work productivity, and satisfaction outcomes were not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that a hybrid dCBT-I + ER intervention, delivered via workplaces, effectively improves insomnia, depression, and anxiety. It holds promise as a scalable solution, warranting further investigation into its long-term efficacy and economic impact.

The effects of a personalized sleep improvement app in subclinical poor sleepers: A randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a personalized smartphone application on subjective sleep quality, wellbeing and stress in participants with subclinical sleep problems. Healthy participants with subclinical threshold sleep issues that did not meet diagnostic criteria for insomnia were randomly assigned to use the app or be on a waiting list for app usage (control group). Subjective data on sleep quality (sleep quality component of Sleep Questionnaire B [primary endpoint] and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), feeling refreshed after the sleep component of Sleep Questionnaire B, Short Form-12 physical and mental components, and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) were compared between the app and control groups at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Depending on their usage, app users were defined as "frequent", "occasional" or "rare/never" users. Two-hundred and six and 205 app users and 286 and 285 control participants completed the 6- and 12-week assessments, respectively. Sleep Questionnaire B scores improved in frequent (effect size 0.595; F = 13.7) and occasional users (0.653; F = 9.4) after 6 weeks; effects persisted at 12 weeks, and were similar for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Feeling refreshed after the sleep component of Sleep Questionnaire B improved over time in all groups, with no significant difference between app users and controls. There were no changes in Short Form-12 physical component, Short Form-12 mental component, and Perceived Stress Scale scores. A personalized app positively affected subjective sleep quality in a population of users with subclinical threshold sleep issues, and could serve as a low-burden digital intervention to potentially prevent the exacerbation of sleep pathologies.

New developments in insomnia assessment and diagnosis: Self-reported questionnaires, clinical interviews, and ecological momentary assessment

Accurate and timely assessment is essential for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Over the past few years, new developments in the assessment of insomnia disorder have been outlined. This review aims to summarise the available instruments in line with the updated scientific research and advances in clinical sleep research. A synthesis of new developments in the field from 2020 to 2024, focussing on self-reported questionnaires, clinical interviews, and ecological momentary assessment, are provided. After exploring novel advances and their interplay with evidence-based validated instruments, we will discuss limitations and future directions. What are we missing? What should be improved and ameliorated? What are the next steps for insomnia assessment and diagnosis regarding methodology, dissemination, and practice?

The Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI): Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version

Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder. It is the most frequent sleep complaint among Higher Education students. The Sleep Condition Indicator is a self-report tool aimed at assessing insomnia based on the DSM-5 criteria. The principal goal of this study was to establish preliminary psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Sleep Condition Indicator in a sample of Higher Education students. Data from a diverse pool of Higher Education students (N = 537) were collected online over a month. Most participants were women (75%) and aged approximately 27 years. The Sleep Condition Indicator demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.85), with all the items accounting significantly for the scale reliability. The most appropriate factor structure considering the ordinal nature of the items was unidimensional, with all items explaining 64% of the total variance. However, a two-factor structure (sleep pattern and sleep-related impact) was also plausible when other statistical estimators were used. The Sleep Condition Indicator correlated significantly with insomnia severity, vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance, and self-reported daytime sleepiness. The optimal cut-off point established based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was ≤ 16. A short version comprising only two items was also viable as suggested by the literature. The Sleep Condition Indicator is a reliable and valid tool for screening for insomnia. More studies with other groups are now required, specifically with clinical samples.

Benzodiazepine-receptor agonist prescription in a population of hospitalised patients in four psychogeriatric units in Switzerland

The aim of this study is to describe the patterns of prescription of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists in hospitalised patients in four psychogeriatric units in Switzerland. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that included patients aged 65 years or more hospitalised in one of the four psychogeriatric units of a university hospital in Switzerland during 2019. The presence, type and dose of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists was assessed at admission and at discharge. Three-hundred and eighty-six patients (214 women, 78.2 ± 8.1 years) were included in the study; 33.4% of patients had at least one benzodiazepine-receptor agonist at admission and 22.5% at discharge. The relative reduction of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists prescription in standardised dose was 78%. Age was found to be a protective factor against benzodiazepine-receptor agonists prescription at admission (adjusted odds ratio 0.94, confidence interval 0.91-0.98), and diagnosis of substance abuse was found to be a risk factor (adjusted odds ratio 4.43, confidence interval 1.42-17.02). Longer hospital stays (> 14 days) were associated with higher reduction of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists. The prevalence of a prescription of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists at admission was high, but during the psychogeriatric hospitalisation benzodiazepine-receptor agonists prescription decreased both in absolute and relative terms.

Promoting sustained access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in Australia: a system-level implementation program

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Insomnia is a highly prevalent and debilitating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is the recommended "first line" treatment, but is accessed by a minority of people with insomnia. This paper describes a system-level implementation program to improve access to CBTi in Australia to inform CBTi implementation in other locations.

METHODS

From 2019-2023, we conducted a program of work to promote sustained change in access to CBTi in Australia. Three distinct phases included (1) scoping and mapping barriers to CBTi access, (2) analysis and synthesis of barriers and facilitators to devise change goals, and (3) structured promotion and coordination of change. We used a system-level approach, knowledge brokerage, and codesign, and drew on qualitative, quantitative, and implementation science methods.

RESULTS

We identified barriers to CBTi access from the perspectives of people with insomnia, primary care clinicians, and the health system. A stakeholder advisory committee was convened to codesign change goals, identify modifiable barriers, devise program logic, and drive change strategies. We commenced a program to promote system-level change in CBTi access via: improved awareness and education of insomnia among primary care clinicians, self-guided interventions, and advocating to Government for additional CBTi funding mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

This implementation program made significant progress toward improving access to CBTi in Australia. Ongoing work is required to continue this program, as long-term system-level change requires significant and sustained time, effort, and resources from multiple stakeholders. This program may be used to inform CBTi implementation activities in other locations.

CITATION

Sweetman A, McEvoy RD, Frommer MS, et al. Promoting sustained access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in Australia: a system-level implementation program. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(2):325-335.

Investigating the efficacy of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in comparison to a sleep-monitoring application via integrated diary and actigraphy: A randomised-controlled trial

Dissemination of digital cognitive behavioural therapy is a promising approach for treating insomnia in the broad population. Current evidence supports the effectiveness of the digital format, but clinical findings are often limited by the choice of control group and lack of in-depth therapeutic measures. This study was designed to investigate the specific effects of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in comparison to a self-monitoring application. Participants meeting criteria for insomnia were randomly allocated (1:1) to 8 weeks of digital cognitive behavioural therapy or 8 weeks of digital sleep monitoring (control application). The primary outcome, insomnia severity, was assessed at baseline, 8- and 16-weeks post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of sleep via application-integrated sleep diaries and actigraphy. Linear-mixed models were fitted to assess between-group differences. Fifty-six participants (48 females, mean age: M = 45.55 ± 13.70 years) were randomised to either digital cognitive behavioural therapy (n = 29) or digital sleep monitoring (n = 27). At 8- and 16-weeks post-randomisation, large treatment effects (d = 0.87-1.08) indicated robust reductions (-3.70 and -2.97, respectively; p ≤ 0.003) in insomnia severity in the digital cognitive behavioural therapy arm, relative to digital sleep monitoring. Treatment effects in favour of digital cognitive behavioural therapy were also found for self-reported and actigraphy-derived sleep continuity variables, indicating that sleep improved throughout the 8-week intervention period. Our study reinforces the role of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in achieving clinical improvements for patients with insomnia, affirming previous findings and supporting the specific effects of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Trends in hypnotic drug use in depression 2007-2017: A Swedish population-based study

Insomnia is a common feature of depression; however, depression treatment guidelines provide limited recommendations regarding hypnotic drugs. Few studies have thoroughly investigated the use of hypnotic drugs in depression. In this cohort study using national Swedish registers, we included all patients ≥18 years with incident unipolar depression during 2007-2017. Patients were followed for 3 years, noting the annual and quarterly prevalence of hypnotic drug use from prescription fills. Prevalence ratios (PR) comparing 2017 to 2007 were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 222,077 patients with depression were included (mean age 41 years, 59% women). In the year following diagnosis, 44.1% used any hypnotic drug in 2017, compared with 46.7% in 2007 (PR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.97). The most commonly used drugs were Z-drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem, and zaleplon) with a prevalence of 27.6% in 2017 and 35.6% in 2007 (PR 0.78, 95% CI 0.75-0.80). Melatonin use increased sharply to 12.0% in 2017 from 0.4% in 2007 (PR 28.9, 95% CI 23.5-35.7). Hypnotic drug use was most prevalent in the first two quarters after diagnosis; however, after 3 years, the quarterly prevalence was still 19.2%. Hypnotics were more common among women, older patients, those with somatic comorbidities, more severe depression, or a history of suicide attempt. Evidence from this large register-based study demonstrates that hypnotics were used to a large extent in depression in Sweden 2007-2017. Z-drugs use declined and melatonin use increased dramatically. Hypnotic drug use remained high even 3 years after diagnosis.

States of consciousness and interoceptive hypersensibility: A study in patients with insomnia disorder

This exploratory study aimed to investigate the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and quality of consciousness in individuals with insomnia disorder, in order to understand how the modulation of internal states may contribute to modifying the experience of consciousness during sleep difficulties. A total of 37 patients with insomnia disorder (mean age = 46.05 ± 18.16) and 41 healthy good sleepers (mean age = 50.2 ± 12.99) underwent a psychometric sleep and interoceptive sensibility assessment, using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). Moreover, patients with insomnia disorder also completed a quality of consciousness evaluation, using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI). Patients with insomnia disorder exhibited heightened interoceptive sensibility, particularly in noticing body sensations (p < 0.0001) and emotional awareness (p = 0.032), along with diminished abilities in attention regulation (p = 0.040), not-worrying (p = 0.001), and trusting (p = 0.002). Furthermore, correlations between interoceptive sensibility and multiple aspects of the consciousness state during the insomnia night were identified. Specifically, higher emotional awareness was linked to a 2.49-fold increase in the likelihood of subjectively experiencing altered consciousness states during insomnia. The study sheds light on the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and the subjective state of consciousness during insomnia, emphasising the importance of exploring and considering interoception as part of the therapeutic process for insomnia disorder. Given the exploratory nature of the study and the increased risk of type-I error from numerous correlations, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to validate and confirm their robustness.

A Nutraceutical Approach Using Herbs, Vitamins, Trace Elements, and Amino Acids for the Treatment of Insomnia Disorder and Anxiety: An Eight-Week Observational Study

Objectives This prospective, observational, single-arm, open-label study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a phytotherapeutic and nutraceutical compound in the treatment of patients with insomnia disorder (ID) associated with anxiety. Methods The study was conducted on a clinical sample of 28 patients (6 men, 21.4%, and 22 women, 78.6%) suffering from ID, associated with a state of anxiety. The sample study was clinically evaluated at baseline (T0) and after four (T1) and eight weeks (T2) of phytotherapeutic and nutraceutical treatment using the following self-administered questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, Insomnia Severity Index, Depression and Anxiety Scale Short Form - 21, Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Rapid Stress Assessment, Patient Global Impression of Improvement - Severity and short form-36. Results The effect of treatment over time was statistically significant for all measures considered including the short form-36 subscales 3 and 5, with the exception of the other short form-36 subscales and fatigue severity scale. Linear regression reported a significant association only between T1 and T2 scores (p<0.05). No correlations were found with age except for the test short form-36 subscale 5 (Pearson r=0.421; p =0.036 and tau Kendal =0.311; p=0.033) and no correlation for the level of education. No safety concerns were reported in the sample study. Conclusion The results of this study support the clinical efficacy and safety of the phytotherapeutic and nutraceutical study compound for the treatment of ID in patients with anxiety symptoms.

Effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia on professional activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This meta-analytic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) on professional activity. We systematically explored PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO until August 2023. We targeted randomized controlled trials using dCBT-I and assessing professional activity. We used the standardized mean difference (SMD), and the Der Simonian-Laird random effects model, and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. From the 494 papers initially identified, 11 were finally selected, including 4723 participants from Europe, Japan, and North America. People treated with dCBT-I had lower scores for work-related rumination (SMD = -3.28; 95 % CI: -6.18; -0.39), lower costs of lost productivity due to presenteeism (SMD = -0.55; 95 % CI: -0.77; -0.33), and lower presenteeism scores (SMD = -1.05; 95 % CI: -1.79; -0.31). Three studies displayed a high risk of bias, while eight were classified as "some concern". Publication bias could not be assessed due to the small number of studies, and the certainty of evidence was low or very low. This review provides positive results regarding the effectiveness of dCBT-I on the professional activity of people with insomnia symptoms or disorder. However, further studies are needed to reinforce our findings.

Effectiveness of a Cannabinoids Supplement on Sleep and Mood in Adults With Subthreshold Insomnia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Trial

Background and Aims

Conduct a pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial for adults with subthreshold insomnia symptoms to examine the effectiveness of a cannabinoids supplement on sleep quality and health outcomes.

Methods

Adults with subthreshold insomnia symptoms (N = 20, Mage = 47.40) were randomized to either the Cannabinoids Supplement (CS) or Placebo Condition (PC) for 10 days. The CS was an oral soft gel that contained 3 mg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 6 mg cannabinol, 10 mg cannabidiol, and 90 mg of a proprietary food-grade terpene blend. Following a 2-week washout, they completed the alternate condition. The following validated questionnaires were collected at baseline and following each condition: Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Bergen Insomnia Scale, Profile of Mood States (POMS), Perceived Stress Scale, Pain and Sleep Questionnaire. Trait Anxiety Inventory, Flinders Daytime Fatigue, and Health-related Quality of Life Scale. Clinical trial registry number = ISRCTN 15022302.

Results

When compared to PC, the CS Condition had significantly improved sleep quality/efficiency, insomnia symptoms, and health-related quality of life, p < 0.05. Nonsignificant improvements for the CS compared to the PC were found for the POMS mood subscales of tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and vigor, as well as anxiety. The Esteem subscale improved significantly from Baseline to Post for the PC. Both the CS and PC Vigor improved significantly from baseline. Anxiety improved significantly from Baseline to Post for the CS. No adverse events reported.

Conclusion

This cannabinoid-based formulation was a well-tolerated oral supplement that may improve adults' sleep quality/efficiency and health-related quality of life. Larger controlled trials are encouraged to examine the longer-term effects of this supplement in a variety of populations and environments.

Novel psychotherapies for insomnia

Insomnia disorder, characterized by a complaint of reduced sleep quality or quantity and associated daytime impairment, is highly prevalent and associated with reduced quality of life and productivity. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the current first-line treatment for chronic insomnia disorder. Here, we outline our perspective for the future optimization of psychotherapeutic treatment for insomnia. We identified the following areas as the most promising: first, optimizing efficacy of the CBT-I protocol; second, developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for non-responders and partial responders; and third, advancing widespread implementation of psychotherapy for insomnia. More specifically, we outline how the current CBT-I protocol could be optimized through an improved understanding of treatment mechanisms, and discuss the potential of adaptive treatment strategies. Another promising approach for improving the current CBT-I protocol is using add-ons such as physical exercise or circadian-based interventions. Both may be promising in certain subgroups of patients with insomnia. In terms of non-response, we identify acceptance and commitment therapy for insomnia (ACT-I) as a promising treatment for non-responders to CBT-I. ACT-I, however, still needs to be evaluated in actual non-responders to CBT-I. Implementing CBT-I in clinical practice is still one of the major challenges at hand. We outline how brief treatment, targeted treatment for challenging patient groups, and digital treatment may help improve implementation. For a future research agenda, we suggest that further research into treatment mechanisms, randomized-controlled trials in non-responders to CBT-I, and a focus on implementation science have a potential to bring the field forward.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: The Association Between Newer-Generation Antidepressants and Insomnia in Children and Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between newer generation antidepressants and insomnia as an adverse event (AE) in the treatment of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD

A systematic search was performed in major databases (inception to August 31, 2023) to retrieve double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the safety of 19 antidepressants in the acute treatment (initial 6-12 weeks) of children and adolescents ≤18 years of age with MDD (primary analyses). RCTs in anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were retrieved from a recent meta-analysis and included in complementary analyses. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to compare the frequency of insomnia in the antidepressant relative to the placebo group. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool.

RESULTS

In total, 20 trials in MDD (N = 5,357) and 8 trials in anxiety disorders and OCD (N = 1,271) evaluating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were included. In MDD, antidepressant treatment was associated with a modest increase in the odds of insomnia compared with placebo (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.21-2.27, p = .002), with no significant difference between SSRIs and SNRIs. The RCTs showed low risk of bias or minor concerns for the assessment of insomnia. The odds of treatment-emergent insomnia were significantly lower in MDD (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.21-2.15) compared to anxiety disorders and OCD (OR = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.83-4.57) for treatment with SSRIs (p = .03). Among individual antidepressants with evidence from ≥3 studies, sertraline had the highest OR (3.45; 95% CI = 1.91-6.24), whereas duloxetine had the lowest OR (1.38; 95% CI = 0.79-2.43).

CONCLUSION

Children and adolescents are at a modestly increased risk for experiencing insomnia during the first 6 to 12 weeks of treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs. Antidepressant- and disorder-specific variability in the risk of treatment-emergent insomnia may be relevant to consider in clinical decision making.

STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION

The association between newer generation antidepressants and insomnia in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk; CRD42023330506.

Concussion and the Autonomic, Immune, and Endocrine Systems: An Introduction to the Field and a Treatment Framework for Persisting Symptoms

A significant proportion of patients who sustain a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury endorse persisting, lingering symptoms. The symptoms associated with concussion are nonspecific, and many other medical conditions present with similar symptoms. Medical conditions that overlap symptomatically with concussion include anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and cervical strain injuries. One of the factors that may account for these similarities is that these conditions all present with disturbances in the optimal functioning of the autonomic nervous system and its intricate interactions with the endocrine system and immune system-the three primary regulatory systems in the body. When clinicians are working with patients presenting with persisting symptoms after concussion, evidence-based treatment options drawn from the literature are limited. We present a framework for the assessment and treatment of persisting symptoms following concussion based on the available evidence (treatment trials), neuroanatomical principles (research into the physiology of concussion), and clinical judgment. We review the research supporting the premise that behavioral interventions designed to stabilize and optimize regulatory systems in the body following injury have the potential to reduce symptoms and improve functioning in patients. Foundational concussion rehabilitation strategies in the areas of sleep stabilization, fatigue management, physical exercise, nutrition, relaxation protocols, and behavioral activation are outlined along with practical strategies for implementing intervention modules with patients.

Prevalence of Insomnia and Related Factors Among Cancer Outpatients in China

Background

The incidence of insomnia in cancer patients is significantly higher than in the general population. Chronic insomnia imposes pronounced physical and psychological burdens on cancer patients, affecting their quality of life and survival rate. This study aims to investigate insomnia in cancer patients and further analyze potentially related factors.

Methods

Oncology outpatients treated at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were consecutively recruited. Demographic information and clinical features, such as type of cancer and treatment status, were collected. Insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Results

A total of 146 patients participated in the study, with the majority suffering from breast tumors (40.4%), gastrointestinal tract tumors (18.5%), and endocrine tumors (5.8%). Among these patients, 25 (17.1%) did not report insomnia, 69 (47.3%) had subclinical insomnia, and 52 (35.6%) reached the level of clinical insomnia. Older patients aged 41-50 years (Estimate = -3.49, 95% CI, -6.99 to 0.00, p = 0.05) and those with higher education levels (Estimate = -2.72, 95% CI, -4.88 to -0.55, p = 0.01) were less likely to have higher ISI total scores. In contrast, undergoing chemotherapy (Estimate = 3.86, 95% CI, 0.53 to 7.19, p = 0.02) was associated with higher ISI total scores. Gender, age, education, treatment modalities correlated with ISI subitem scores.

Conclusion

The prevalence of insomnia is higher in oncology patients and is associated with gender, age, education, tumor type, and treatment modality. Screening and interventions for insomnia should be emphasized in the whole-course management of oncology patients.

Preliminary feasibility and efficacy of a brief behavioural treatment for insomnia after acquired brain injury: A case series

Insomnia after acquired brain injury (ABI) is common and can negatively impact an individual's rehabilitation, recovery, and quality of life. The present study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Brief Behavioural Treatment for Insomnia (BBTI) in a community sample following ABI. Ten participants were recruited. Seven participants attended four weekly sessions of BBTI and kept a daily sleep diary. Participants completed a semi-structured sleep interview at baseline and self-report measures of sleep, anxiety, and depression pre- and post-treatment as well as a treatment acceptability questionnaire post-treatment. Follow-up data were collected at 1-, 2-, and 3-months post-treatment. Visual analyses of the data were performed on a case-by-case basis. Five of the seven participants (71%) no longer met the criteria for insomnia disorder on the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) post-treatment. Treatment effects on sleep outcomes were either maintained or augmented at follow-ups. BBTI was found to be well tolerated, as evidenced by the high overall retention rates (70%) and positive feedback on the treatment acceptability questionnaire. These results provide preliminary evidence of BBTI being both feasible to use and potentially efficacious in individuals with post-brain-injury insomnia. Larger-scale randomised controlled trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of BBTI following ABI.

Diagnosis and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): A Comprehensive, Patient-centered Approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide an update regarding recent research and recommendations in the care of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

RECENT FINDINGS

New diagnostic criteria for mTBI have recently been developed by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine through the Delphi method and this will help to standardize assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Symptoms of mTBI are diverse and can sometimes become persistent. Treatment of mTBI should be patient-centered and may require subspeciality referral and coordinated, inter-disciplinary, or multi-disciplinary treatment.